Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Ahvazاهواز

ah-VAHZ

A city of south-western Iran.

In the poem: First at A8.10, Mehrab Is Not Pleased; last at E7.7, Khosrow Parviz Builds the City of Madain
Named: 12 times, in 9 sections
Main stories: D12 Qobad and the Mazdakite Revolution (4); D13 Anooshirvan and the Road to the End-time (2); E7 The Story of Khosrow Parviz and Shirin (2)

In the poem’s own words

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

A8.10

Mehrab Is Not Pleased

Sindokht breaks the news to Mehrab through a parable of a tree whose fruit turns to poison. Mehrab draws his sword to kill Rudabeh, but Sindokht tells him Sahm already knows and makes him swear to spare her. Rudabeh is brought before him, cursed but unharmed.

A8.10.46
From Ahvaz on to Kandahar’s wide span,Who would not seek alliance with that man?”

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

D4.1

Dara, Son of Darab, Lectures His Chiefs

Dara mourns his father, takes the throne, and tells the chiefs he needs no counselor, will tolerate no dissent, and grudges other men their wealth. He sends threatening letters to neighboring kings, pays and arms his troops, gives out provinces, and founds Zarnush.

D4.1.23
He built a city, Zarnush, fair and bright,And filled the folk of Ahvaz with delight.

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

D7.12

Shapur, Son of Ardeshir

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

D8.1

Shapur, Son of Hormizd, Surnamed Zul-Aktaf

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

D12.4

Qobad’s Escape and Flight to the Heytalians

Rizmehr strikes off Qobad’s fetters and the two ride east with five confidants. At a village near Ahvaz Qobad marries a dehqan’s daughter, leaves her his signet, and goes on to the Heytalian king, who lends him forty thousand horsemen for the promise of Chaghaniyan.

D12.4.4
Thus sped the seven like windblown dust in flight,Until Ahvaz appeared before their sight.
D12.4.13
You shall be lord of all Ahvaz, and raiseYour rank and power to heights deserving praise.”
D12.4.32
To Ahvaz with that force Qobad returned;His name through all the world like beacons burned.

Ahvaz named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D12.5

Qobad Returns and Reascends the Throne

Qobad reaches the village to find a son born, and names him Kisra. The nobles come out with the boy Jamasp to beg pardon; Qobad forgives them and retakes the throne. He rewards Rizmehr, campaigns in Rum, founds cities, and opens canals.

D12.5.34
He wrought both good and ill, and built a townBetween Ahvaz and Pars of fair renown.

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

D13.3

Anooshirvan’s Decree of Justice

The Shah divides the empire into four regions, then replaces the old share of the harvest with a land tax assessed by survey and paid in three installments, with relief for ruined crops and exemptions. Three ledgers record it. His decree to the collectors is read out.

D13.3.7
The third stretched east to west through Pars’s bounds,Ahvaz, and Khazar marches’ outer grounds.

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

E7.7

Khosrow Parviz Builds the City of Madain

Khosrow gathers craftsmen and sets a Roman master over the palace at Madain. Told the walls must settle before vaulting, the Shah refuses; the man flees and returns in the fourth year to prove by a sealed cord that they have sunk seven cubits. The palace takes seven years.

E7.7.6
Iran, Ahvaz, and Roman lands suppliedThe experts who were tested at his side.
E7.7.43
He looked to Ahvaz, hoping he might meetAn architect whose skill was made complete.

Ahvaz named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

All 9 sections that name Ahvaz