New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Character · The Shahnameh · Volume I

Zaraspزراسپ

za-RAHSP

Son of Tus, killed by Forood.

In the poem
First at A7.4, Manuchehr Hears of Zal; last at B13.3, Khosrow Grants Pardon
Named
17 times, in 10 sections
Main stories
B12 Forood and the Snowstorm Campaign (12); B13 Mount Hamavan and the Kamus Campaign (3); A7 The First Kings: Manuchehr (1)
Parents
Tus
Plates
Vol I: IV
Genealogical plate: The Kings of Iran
Volume I, Plate IV: The Kings of Iran. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Zarasp most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Zarasp. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
A7.4

Manuchehr Hears of Zal

Manuchehr sends his son Nohzar to welcome Sahm, who hurries to court with Zal. The king marvels at the youth and asks for his story, and Sahm tells of the dreams, the nest, and the Simorgh returning his son.

  • A7.4.4
    Nohzar was one; Zarasp the other name,Like Azargashasp upon the field of fame.
Zarasp named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B11.5

The Mustering of the Pahlevans

When the sun enters Virgo, Kay Khosrow has a new army register drawn up, clan by clan: the kin of Kavus under Fariborz, Nohzar’s line, the sons of Gudarz and the other great houses. He orders the army out to the plain to await the new month.

  • B11.5.9
    Zarasp their sepahbod stood at their head,Appointed as their guardian when he led.
Zarasp named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B12.8

Forood Slays Zarasp

Tus sends his own son Zarasp, whose wife is Rivniz’s sister, to avenge Rivniz. Tokhvar identifies him, and Forood’s arrow pins him to his saddle. His riderless horse gallops back down the mountain.

  • B12.8.1
    Then Tus addressed Zarasp: “Let fire start,Like Azargashasp’s blaze, within your heart.
  • B12.8.4
    Zarasp set out, his helmet on his head,His heart for vengeance, lips with boasting fed.
  • B12.8.8
    Tokhvar replied: “Zarasp is this one’s name,The son of Tus, a warrior known to fame.
Zarasp named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B12.9

Tus Battles Forood

Tus climbs the mountain himself. Tokhvar urges Forood to retreat, then to shoot Tus’s horse rather than the commander. Tus walks back in disgrace while the fortress women jeer, and Giv declares that the prince must answer for the shame.

  • B12.9.49
    Zarasp, Nohzar’s noble scion, lies,And Rivniz drowned in blood before our eyes.
Zarasp named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B12.10

Giv Battles Forood

Giv climbs the mountain, and Forood kills his horse. When Bijan mocks his father, Giv strikes him with his whip. Bijan swears revenge, borrows a horse from Gostaham, and rides up in Siavash’s mail, which Giv sends him.

  • B12.10.36
    “I shall not strip the saddle from my steedTill Zarasp is avenged, or death fulfills the deed.”
  • B12.10.45
    Zarasp, a warrior mighty in command,And brave Rivniz lie dead upon the land.
  • B12.10.52
    That I shall either perish where I stand,Or take revenge for Zarasp by my hand.”
Zarasp named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B12.11

Bijan Battles Forood

Tokhvar warns that Bijan, Giv’s only son, wears Siavash’s mail. Forood kills his horse, but Bijan climbs on foot, takes another arrow on his shield and cuts down Forood’s horse at the gate. Forood escapes inside, and Tus swears to destroy him.

  • B12.11.31
    To avenge Zarasp, Pahlevan of renown,I shall strike that hostile Turanian down.
Zarasp named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B12.13

The Death of Jarireh

The women leap from the roof. Jarireh burns the treasure, kills the horses and stabs herself over Forood’s body. Bahram rebukes the Iranians, Gudarz rebukes Tus, and Tus weeps and builds a royal tomb for Forood, Rivniz and Zarasp.

  • B12.13.32
    You sent brave Zarasp, Nohzar-born, to doom,A noble warrior cut down in his bloom.
  • B12.13.42
    Beside him then they laid Rivniz the brave,And noble Zarasp, fallen to the grave.
Zarasp named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B13.3

Khosrow Grants Pardon

Rostam pleads for Tus, blaming grief for his son and son-in-law and the fate fixed by heaven. Khosrow relents. Tus comes in shame, begs pardon and vows to wipe out the disgrace, renouncing crown and throne for his helmet.

  • B13.3.7
    When brave Rivniz was slaughtered in his sight,And proud Zarasp lay ruined in the fight,
  • B13.3.22
    Forood and Zarasp haunt my soul with blame;Like Azargashasp I burn in inward flame.
Zarasp named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 10 sections that name Zarasp
  1. A7.4 Manuchehr Hears of Zal
  2. B11.5 The Mustering of the Pahlevans
  3. B12.8 Forood Slays Zarasp
  4. B12.9 Tus Battles Forood
  5. B12.10 Giv Battles Forood
  6. B12.11 Bijan Battles Forood
  7. B12.13 The Death of Jarireh
  8. B12.15 The Snowstorm Campaign
  9. B13.2 Khosrow’s Rebuke of Tus
  10. B13.3 Khosrow Grants Pardon

Family

Parents
Tus
Siblings
Tus’s daughter
Volume I · Plate IVThe Kings of IranManuchehr to Kay Qobad · A7–B3

Where the name appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
A7The First Kings: Manuchehr1B11Kay Khosrow’s Kingship1B12Forood and the Snowstorm Campaign12B13Mount Hamavan and the Kamus Campaign3

More in the Glossary and the index of characters.