Object · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

gorzگرز

GORZ

The ox-headed heavy mace of the Iranian champion.

In the poem: First at A3.1, The Reign of Tahmuras; last at E10.13, Bijan Marches against Mahwi
Named: 483 times, in 266 sections
Main stories: B14 The Great Battle with the Khan of Chin (39); B13 Mount Hamavan and the Kamus Campaign (36); C3 The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs (28)

In the poem’s own words

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

A8.14

Zal Going as an Envoy before Manuchehr

Sahm dictates a letter to Manuchehr recalling his long service, above all his slaying of the dragon of the Kashaf River. Pleading old age, he hands his command to Zal and asks the Shah to judge Zal’s love kindly. Zal sets out for court with the letter.

A8.14.7
He wields the gorz and opens conquered lands,And shares out joy and fortune from his hands.
A8.14.9
The wind of his gorz turns a mountain’s crestTo dust beneath the hoof his charger pressed.
A8.14.15
My heavy gorz struck fear in every foe;No arm in Mazandaran matched its blow.

gorz named 8 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B1.10

Zal Comes to Mehrab’s Aid

Zal comes to Kabul and announces himself by shooting three arrows into the enemy camp at night. Next day he kills Khazarvan with his father’s ox-headed gorz and Kulbad with an arrow. Shamasas flees, only to run into Gharan, and escapes with a handful of men.

B1.10.20
Then Khazarvan, with gorz and shield in hand,Rushed forth to strike and make his boldest stand.
B1.10.24
His blood ran hot; his fury flared and grew;He seized his father’s gorz and forward flew.
B1.10.26
But Zal surged on and would not quit the fight;He raised the ox-head gorz with all his might.

gorz named 5 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.

B2.1.34
No horseman set his foot in stirrup so,Nor bore my sword and gorz against the foe.
B2.1.76
I want a gorz like one great mountain mass,To smash the Turanian ranks that block my pass.
B2.1.79
He said: “You have had your fill of rest and cup;I bring Sahm’s gorz; now take the heirloom up.

gorz named 5 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B3.3

Afrasiab Goes to His Father

Afrasiab returns to Pashang and blames him for the war. He describes Rostam’s terrifying strength, lists the Turanian champions lost, confesses the shame of killing Aghriras, and urges his father to make peace and keep to Fereydoon’s old frontiers.

B3.3.11
He stormed through hill and valley, plain and height,And struck with gorz and sword throughout the fight.
B3.3.12
His gorz tore through the air with every thrust;My life seemed worth no more than handfuls of dust.
B3.3.14
He marked my banner, heavy gorz held low,And through the crowded press he came, my foe.

gorz named 6 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B5.10

Kavus Wars with Mazandaran

The armies meet, and Rostam spears the boasting champion Juya out of the saddle. After a week of battle Kavus prays; Rostam then spears the sorcerer-king, who turns himself into a rock. Rostam carries it to camp, the king emerges and is killed, and Ulad receives Mazandaran.

B5.10.16
Juya his name, who sought the battle’s flame,And swung the heavy gorz wherever he came.
B5.10.17
With gorz in hand and armor shining bright,He strode before the ranks to claim the fight.
B5.10.18
By his king’s command he crossed the field,And came before the Shah with gorz and shield.

gorz named 10 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B7.3

Pilsam Battles the Iranians and Alkus’ Battle

Piran’s brother Pilsam unhorses Gorgin and holds off four champions until Piran protests and Rostam drives him away. Alkus then fells Zavareh, taking him for Rostam, but Rostam lifts Alkus from the saddle on his spear, and the seven champions rout the Turanians.

B7.3.14
He struck to right and left with gorz and blade,And split the ranks that stood against him arrayed.
B7.3.34
Now sword, now heavy gorz, Pilsam struck on,Till strength from all four champions’ arms was gone.
B7.3.41
With sword and heavy gorz of crushing weight,He broke Turan’s proud captains to their fate.

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

B12.22

The Turanians Defeat the Iranians

The armies meet. Houman breaks the Iranian center and Fariborz flees. Giv shames Gudarz into standing firm; Bijan cuts the Kaviani banner in two to bring half of it back. Rivniz son of Kavus is killed, and Bahram saves his crown, but the Iranians are routed with terrible losses.

B12.22.12
Or bear a shame no warrior’s heart should know;Then gorz and Roman helm will mock us so.”
B12.22.15
With arrows, gorz, the dust rose thick as night,No bird could find a passage in its flight.
B12.22.18
With gorz and spear and curved swords fiercely plied,A rastakhiz rose vast on every side.

gorz named 8 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B13.9

The Second Battle of Iran and Turan

At dawn both armies deploy. Houman orders a close-quarters charge, while Tus and Gudarz, greatly outnumbered, put their trust in God. The chiefs are paired off in single combats, and Tus leads his footmen forward.

B13.9.6
Each warrior drew his sword, his gorz, his spear,And gathered up his reins as war drew near.
B13.9.14
Use sword and club and heavy gorz in fight,As warriors’ custom teaches men of might.
B13.9.41
The spearheads gleamed; drawn swords like lightning shone;Above rose standards and whirling gorz thrown.

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

All 266 sections that name gorz

A3.1 The Reign of Tahmuras
A5.2 Zahhak Dreams of Fereydoon
A5.5 Zahhak and Kaveh the Blacksmith
A5.6 Fereydoon Battles Zahhak
A5.7 Fereydoon Sees the Daughters of Jamshid
A5.8 Fereydoon and the Minister of Zahhak
A5.9 Fereydoon Binds Zahhak
A6.2 Jandal Goes to Yemen
A6.6 Fereydoon Tests His Sons
A6.9 Salm and Tur Send a Message to Their Father
A6.11 Iraj Goes to Meet His Brothers
A6.15 The Birth of Manuchehr
A6.17 Fereydoon Receives a Message from Salm and Tur
A6.18 Fereydoon Answers His Sons
A6.19 Manuchehr Marches for Vengeance
A6.20 Manuchehr Attacks the Army of Tur
A6.22 Fereydoon Receives News from Manuchehr
A6.24 Kakouy Attacks the Iranians
A6.25 Manuchehr Fights Salm and Slays Him
A7.1 The Crowning of Manuchehr
A7.4 Manuchehr Hears of Zal
A7.5 Zal Returns to Zabulistan
A7.6 Sahm Gives the Kingdom to Zal
A8.7 Zal Writes to His Father
A8.8 Sahm Seeks Counsel
A8.12 Sahm Comes to Manuchehr
A8.13 Sahm Marches on Kabul
A8.14 Zal Going as an Envoy before Manuchehr
A8.15 Mehrab Storms before Sindokht
A8.16 Sindokht and Sahm Come to an Agreement
A8.20 Manuchehr Approves of Zal
A9.1 A Hero Is Born
A9.2 Sahm Comes to Meet Rostam
A9.3 Rostam Slays the White Elephant
A9.4 Rostam Goes to Mount Sepand
B1.1 Nohzar Accedes to the Throne
B1.4 Barman and Qobad in Single Combat
B1.9 Shamasas and Khazarvan Raid Zabulistan
B1.10 Zal Comes to Mehrab’s Aid
B2.1 Afrasiab Invades after Garshasp’s Death
B2.2 Rostam Catches Rakhsh
B2.3 Zal Leads Iran against Afrasiab
B2.4 Rostam Brings Kay Qobad from Alborz
B3.1 Kay Qobad Takes the Throne
B3.2 Rostam Fights Afrasiab
B3.3 Afrasiab Goes to His Father
B3.4 Pashang Sues Kay Qobad for Peace
B4.2 Zal Counsels Kay Kavus
B4.3 Kay Kavus Ventures to Mazandaran
B5.1 Rakhsh Fights a Lion
B5.3 Rostam Fights a Dragon
B5.5 Rostam Takes Ulad Captive
B5.7 Rostam Slays the White Div
B5.9 Rostam’s Embassy to Mazandaran
B5.10 Kavus Wars with Mazandaran
B6.1 Kavus Wars with Hamavaran
B6.5 Rostam’s Message to Hamavaran
B6.7 Kavus’s Message to Afrasiab
B6.10 Rostam Brings Back Kay Kavus
B7.1 Rostam and the Seven Warriors Go Hunting
B7.2 Rostam Battles the Turanians
B7.3 Pilsam Battles the Iranians and Alkus’ Battle
B8.2 Rostam Goes on a Chase
B8.5 The Birth of Sohrab
B8.6 Sohrab Chooses His Charger
B8.7 Afrasiab Sends Envoys to Sohrab
B8.10 Gazhdaham’s Letter to Kavus
B8.12 Kavus Summons Rostam from Zabulistan
B8.13 Kavus’s Anger at Rostam
B8.16 Sohrab Questions Hajir on Iran’s Chiefs
B8.17 Sohrab Attacks Kavus’s Army
B8.18 Rostam and Sohrab Meet in Combat
B8.19 Rostam and Sohrab Leave the Field
B8.20 Sohrab Casts Rostam Down
B8.24 Rostam Returns to Zabulistan
B8.25 Tahmineh Hears of Sohrab’s Death
B9.6 Sudabeh Falls in Love with Siavash
B9.14 Siavash Intercedes for Sudabeh
B9.16 Siavash Leads the Army
B9.25 Kavus Receives the Message
B9.30 Afrasiab’s Offer to Siavash
B9.38 Afrasiab Grants Siavash a Province
B9.42 Siavash Founds Siavash-Gard
B9.44 Afrasiab Sends Garsivaz to Siavash
B9.46 Siavash Shows His Skill at Polo
B9.47 Garsivaz Returns and Slanders Siavash
B9.52 Siavash’s Farewell to Farangis
B9.53 Siavash Is Taken by Afrasiab
B9.54 Farangis Pleads before Afrasiab
B10.4 Rostam Takes Vengeance
B10.8 The Death of Pilsam
B10.9 Afrasiab Flees before Rostam
B10.19 Kay Khosrow Wins Behzad
B10.21 Giv Puts Kulbad and Nastihan to Flight
B10.24 Giv Captures Piran
B10.26 Afrasiab Comes upon Piran
B10.30 Kay Khosrow Comes before Kavus
B10.32 Gudarz’s Anger at Tus
B10.35 Kay Khosrow Captures Bahman Castle
B11.4 The Vow of Vengeance against Afrasiab
B11.5 The Mustering of the Pahlevans
B11.8 Kay Khosrow Inspects the Army
B12.2 Tus Goes to Turkistan
B12.5 Bahram Meets Forood on the Mountain
B12.10 Giv Battles Forood
B12.12 The Death of Forood
B12.13 The Death of Jarireh
B12.14 The March to Kasa Rud
B12.17 The Iranians Battle Tazhav
B12.19 Piran’s Night Attack
B12.21 Fariborz Asks Piran for a Truce
B12.22 The Turanians Defeat the Iranians
B12.24 Tazhav Slays Bahram
B13.7 Tus Slays Arzhang
B13.8 Tus and Houman Meet in Combat
B13.9 The Second Battle of Iran and Turan
B13.10 The Turanians Use Sorcery
B13.12 The Turanians Besiege Hamavan
B13.14 The Iranians Make a Night-Attack, Tus, Giv, Rohham Are Surrounded but Are Saved
B13.15 Khosrow Learns of His Army’s Plight
B13.22 The Khan Surveys the Iranian Army
B13.24 Piran Consults the Khan of Chin
B13.25 Giv and Tus Battle Kamus
B13.26 The Coming of Rostam
B13.27 Iran and Turan Set Their Battle Lines
B13.28 Rostam Battles Ashkabus
B13.29 Piran Reckons with Rostam’s Coming
B13.31 Kamus Slays Alva
B13.32 Rostam Slays Kamus
B14.2 Chingish Faces Rostam
B14.5 Piran Comes before Rostam
B14.6 Turan’s Counsel before Battle
B14.7 Rostam Exhorts the Troops
B14.8 The Battle Lines Are Drawn
B14.10 Battle Is Joined
B14.11 Rostam Puts Shangul to Flight
B14.12 Rostam Battles Sava
B14.13 Rostam Slays Gahar of Gahan
B14.14 The Khan Is Taken Prisoner
B14.15 The Turanians Are Overthrown
B14.16 Rostam Divides the Spoils
B14.17 Rostam’s Letter to Kay Khosrow
B14.18 The Shah Replies to Rostam
B14.19 Afrasiab Hears of His Army’s Defeat
B14.20 Rostam Fights Kafur the Maneater
B14.21 Afrasiab Hears of Rostam’s Coming
B14.22 Afrasiab Writes to Puladvand
B14.23 Puladvand Battles Giv and Tus
B14.24 Rostam Battles Puladvand
B14.26 Afrasiab Flees before Rostam
B14.28 Rostam Returns to Sistan
C1.5 Rostam Slays Akvan the Div
C2.3 Bijan Goes to Fight the Wild Boars
C2.6 Bijan Goes to Manijeh’s Tent
C2.8 Bijan Is Brought before Afrasiab
C2.14 Khosrow Writes to Rostam
C2.17 Rostam Comes to Khosrow
C2.18 The Pahlevans Feast with Khosrow
C2.20 Rostam Arms His Men
C2.21 Rostam Goes to Khutan to Piran
C2.26 Afrasiab Comes against Rostam
C2.27 The Iranians Defeat Afrasiab
C3.2 Afrasiab Summons the Army of Turan
C3.4 Giv Carries Word from Gudarz to Piran
C3.9 Houman Challenges Rohham
C3.10 Houman Challenges Fariborz
C3.11 Houman Challenges Gudarz
C3.12 News of Houman Reaches Bijan
C3.13 Giv Arms Bijan with Siavash’s Jowshan
C3.16 Nastihan Is Slain in a Night-Attack
C3.20 Piran’s Letter to Gudarz
C3.21 Gudarz Replies to Piran
C3.24 Iran and Turan Fight a Pitched Battle
C3.25 Giv’s Horse Falters before Piran
C3.28 Gudarz and Piran Choose the Warriors
C3.30 Giv Battles Gurvi
C3.34 Bijan Battles Ruyin
C3.39 Gudarz Battles Piran
C4.3 Afrasiab Hears of Piran’s Death
C4.8 Kay Khosrow Battles Shideh
C4.50 Soroush Appears to Khosrow in Dream
C4.52 Kay Khosrow Answers Zal
C4.55 Kay Khosrow Gives His Last Counsel
C4.56 Gudarz Receives Khosrow’s Mandate
C5.2 Goshtasb Departs in Anger
C5.10 Goshtasb Slays the Wolf
C5.11 Ahran’s Suit for Caesar’s Daughter
C5.12 Goshtasb Slays the Dragon
C5.14 Caesar Demands Tribute from Ilyas
C6.3 Zardosht Appears before Goshtasb
C6.10 Goshtasb Hears Jamasp’s Prophecy
C6.13 Girami and Nivzar Are Slain
C6.14 Zarir Is Slain by Bidarfesh
C6.21 Esfandiyar Spreads the Faith of Zardosht
C6.27 Lohrasp Falls at Balkh
C6.28 News of Lohrasp’s Death Reaches Goshtasb
C6.32 Esfandiyar Reaches Goshtasb
C7.2 The Wolves of the First Stage
C7.7 The Snow of the Sixth Stage
C7.9 Esfandiyar’s Guile at the Ruyin Dezh
C7.11 Bishutan Attacks the Ruyin Dezh
C7.13 Esfandiyar Slays Kuhram
C8.3 Goshtasb Replies to His Son
C8.4 Katayun Counsels Esfandiyar
C8.5 Esfandiyar Marches to Zabul
C8.7 Bahman Arrives in Zabul
C8.8 Bahman Delivers Esfandiyar’s Message
C8.10 Bahman Returns to Esfandiyar
C8.15 Rostam Defends His Race and Deeds
C8.17 Rostam Boasts of His Valor
C8.18 Rostam and Esfandiyar Drink Together
C8.19 Rostam Returns to His Palace
C8.20 Zal Advises Rostam
C8.21 Rostam Battles Esfandiyar
C8.23 Rostam Flees to the Heights
C8.29 Bishutan Brings Esfandiyar Home
C9.2 Rostam Comes to Kabul for His Brother
D1.3 Faramarz Fights Bahman
D2.3 Darab Questions His Parentage and Fights the Romans
D4.3 Iskandar Visits Dara Disguised as an Ambassador
D4.6 Iskandar Fights Dara and Dara Flees
D5.27 Iskandar Continues the March
D6.4 Ardeshir Babakan and His Rival
D6.15 Ardeshir Discovers the Truth about the Worm
D7.1 Ardeshir Babakan Assumes the Throne
D7.7 Ardeshir’s Wise Administration of the Realm
D7.11 Praise of God and of Mahmud, the Great King
D8.1 Shapur, Son of Hormizd, Surnamed Zul-Aktaf
D9.1 Yazdegard Assumes the Throne
D9.12 Bahram Goor Claims His Right to Rule
D9.13 Bahram Slays the Lions and Takes the Throne
D10.17 Bahram’s Lion-Hunt
D10.18 Bahram’s Gur-e-Khar Hunt before the Princes
D10.21 Bahram Marks the Frontier and Crowns Shahra
D10.34 Bahram’s Flight from Hind to Iran
D10.40 Bahram Goor’s Time Comes to an End
D11.3 The Reign of Pirooz
D11.4 Balawsh
D13.4 Anooshirvan Orders the Army Assembled
D13.7 Anooshirvan Subdues the Borderlands
D13.11 Anooshirvan Marches against Caesar
D13.13 Anooshirvan Defeats Caesar’s Army
D13.18 Anooshirvan Orders Nushzad’s Capture
D13.19 The Death of Nushzad
E1.4 Ghatfar Defeated, Faghanish Crowned
E1.5 Anooshirvan Marches against the Khan
E1.6 The Khan Writes for Peace
E1.8 The Khan Proposes Alliance by Marriage
E2.3 Gav, Talkhand, and Chess
E3.5 Anooshirvan Answers the Mobad
E5.9 Saveh and Bahram Chubin Face Each Other
E5.11 Bahram Chubin Slays King Saveh
E5.17 Parmudeh Appears before Hormizd
E6.5 Khosrow and Bahram Parley
E6.6 Gurdiyeh’s Counsel and Khosrow’s Purpose
E6.7 Khosrow Flees the Night Attack
E6.21 Caesar Sends Aid and a Bride
E6.23 The Intercepted Letter of Bahram Chubin
E6.24 Khosrow Battles Bahram Chubin
E6.25 Soroush Saves Khosrow from Bahram
E6.41 Gurdiyeh Takes Counsel and Flees Marv
E7.5 Khosrow Builds the Throne of Taqdis
E8.1 Shiruyeh Takes the Throne
E10.2 Sa’ad Invades, and Rostam Takes the Field
E10.9 Yazdegard Hides in the Mill
E10.13 Bijan Marches against Mahwi