Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II

Zavزو

ZOW

Son of Tahmasp, who ruled Iran after Nohzar.

In the poem: First at B1.14, Zav, the Son of Tahmasp, Is Elected Shah; last at C4.51, Zal Admonishes Kay Khosrow
Named: 14 times, in 5 sections
Main stories: B1 The Crisis after Manuchehr (7); B2 Garshasp and the Transition to Kayanian Kingship (5); B4 The War with Mazandaran (1)
Parents: Tahmasp
Children: Garshasp, Shah
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 5 sections that name Zav most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Zav. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

B1.14

Zav, the Son of Tahmasp, Is Elected Shah

Zal insists that Iran needs a king of royal blood, and the nobles choose the aged Zav, son of Tahmasp. After five years of just rule and a famine that exhausts both sides, Iran and Turan agree a border, rain returns, and Zav dies at eighty-six.

B1.14.9
Zav, the son of Tahmasp, of noble line,His might Kayanian, farhang his sign.
B1.14.10
Then Gharan rode with chosen men of fame,To bear to Zav the summons and his claim:
B1.14.25
At last an envoy came to Zav and said:“This passing world has filled our lives with dread.

Zav named 7 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B2.1

Afrasiab Invades after Garshasp’s Death

Zav’s son Garshasp reigns briefly and dies. Pashang, still estranged from Afrasiab over Aghriras, orders him to invade again. The Iranians turn to Zal, who is too old to fight and offers instead his young son Rostam, arming him with Sahm’s ancestral gorz.

B2.1.1
Zav had a son, Garshasp, of royal birth,His father gave that name to him on earth.
B2.1.4
When word of Zav’s death reached Turan that day,He launched his ship and set his course for Rey.
B2.1.13
That year Garshasp, son of Zav, passed away,And fortune showed its ever-changing way.

Zav named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B2.3

Zal Leads Iran against Afrasiab

Zal leads the army out of Zabul in spring, and Afrasiab camps at Khar of Rey. With the armies two farsangs apart, Zal tells his counselors that an army needs a king, and names the one a Mobad has revealed: Kay Qobad, of Fereydoon’s line.

B2.3.16
When fortunate Zav sat upon the throne,New praise throughout the world arose and shone.

Zav named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B4.2

Zal Counsels Kay Kavus

Zal warns Kay Kavus that no earlier king ever marched on Mazandaran, land of Divs and sorcery. Kavus, claiming to surpass Jamshid and Fereydoon, dismisses him and leaves Zal and Rostam to guard Iran. Zal submits, and Giv and the chiefs escort him on his way.

B4.2.18
So Zav and Nohzar, kings of tested reign,And Kay Qobad refused that dark domain.

Zav named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C4.51

Zal Admonishes Kay Khosrow

Zal and Rostam reach a court in dismay and are told the Shah has strayed. Zal answers that kings tire, then greets Khosrow with high praise, explains the sages and star-readers he has brought from the east, and asks what secret has turned the royal heart away.