New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Alanonsدژ الانان

ah-lah-NOHNSalso Alan

The fortress by the sea where Tur's and Salm's forces take refuge. The text also has 'Alan' for the people of those marches.

In the poem
First at A6.19, Manuchehr Marches for Vengeance; last at E6.51, The Ordering of Khosrow’s Realm
Named
16 times, in 10 sections
Main stories
E6 Khosrow Parviz (5); D13 Anooshirvan and the Road to the End-time (4); C3 The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs (3)

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Alanons most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Alanons. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
A6.19

Manuchehr Marches for Vengeance

The enemy crosses the Jihun, and Fereydoon sends Manuchehr out with Gharan in the van. The vast army marches from Tammisheh with its elephants. Tur taunts Manuchehr as a king born of a daughter, and Manuchehr vows to take his head.

  • A6.19.40
    They set their army on the battlefield,With sea and Alanons fortress as shield.
Alanons named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
A6.23

Gharan Takes the Castle of the Alanons

Manuchehr foresees that Salm will retreat to the sea-fortress of the Alanons. Gharan goes ahead with Tur’s signet ring, poses as Tur’s envoy and is let in, then signals Shirviyeh. The fortress is stormed and burned, and its garrison slaughtered.

  • A6.23.5
    The Alanons fortress will become his stay;We should move first and seize the guarded way.
Alanons named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.3

Kay Khosrow Sends Gudarz against Turan

Warned that Turan is massing, Kay Khosrow takes counsel, pays and arms his troops, and sends out four armies: Rostam to Sistan and Hind, Lohrasp westward, Ashkash to Khwarazm against Shideh, and Gudarz against Piran, with careful orders on conduct.

  • C3.3.58
    Lohrasp received Alanons, Garcha’s land,And set that charge within the hero’s hand.
Alanons named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.18

Khosrow Sends His Reply

Khosrow answers point by point: Piran was never going to make peace; Afrasiab waits by the Jihun because he is encircled; Rostam, Lohrasp and Ashkash are winning elsewhere. He sends Tus to Dehestan, promises to follow, and orders Gudarz to give battle.

  • C3.18.39
    Alanons and the Ghuz are ours today;Their roads and passes opened to our sway.
Alanons named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.20

Piran’s Letter to Gudarz

Alarmed by Iran’s mobilization, Piran writes to Gudarz offering peace: every province from Sistan to Sughd returned, treasure and hostages sent, or else the war decided by paired champions. His son Ruyin carries the letter, and Gudarz feasts him for a week without answering.

  • C3.20.43
    Where Lohrasp went to war, Alanons’ realmAnd all that region pass beneath his helm.
Alanons named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C4.60

Kay Khosrow Names Lohrasp Shah

Khosrow calls Lohrasp in, sets his own crown on him and names him Shah. The chiefs are appalled, and Zal denies that Lohrasp has the birth for it. The Shah defends his choice; Zal blackens his lips with dust and submits; Khosrow takes his leave weeping.

  • C4.60.20
    You sent him out against the Alan foe,With troops, a flag, and belt you bade him go.
Alanons named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
D13.7

Anooshirvan Subdues the Borderlands

The Shah threatens the Alanons, who submit with tribute and are set to building a walled city. Hindustan sends gifts. Told that Baluch raiders and Gilan are ruining his own country, he exterminates the Baluch, storms Gilan, then pardons the survivors and takes hostages.

  • D13.7.1
    He left the sea for where Alanons dwell,And saw how ruin on their marches fell.
  • D13.7.13
    Alanons gathered, startled with alarm;Great men and sages met to weigh the harm.
  • D13.7.30
    Alanons bowed and answered, “We obey;As earringed slaves, we follow all you say.
Alanons named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
E6.5

Khosrow and Bahram Parley

Across the Nahravan the king and the rebel abuse and argue with each other at length. Khosrow offers him command of Iran; Bahram offers a gibbet. They dispute whether kingship comes by blood, merit or conquest, trading precedents from Ardeshir to Rostam, until Khosrow laughs and turns back.

  • E6.5.62
    Alanons’ king would rise to rule the land,With only luckless men to lend a hand.
  • E6.5.77
    You call me Alanons’ king, yet you knowMy lineage: why then abase me so?
  • E6.5.83
    You ruled Alanons, seated on their throne;A slave of slaves has rank above your own.
Alanons named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 10 sections that name Alanons
  1. A6.19 Manuchehr Marches for Vengeance
  2. A6.23 Gharan Takes the Castle of the Alanons
  3. C3.3 Kay Khosrow Sends Gudarz against Turan
  4. C3.18 Khosrow Sends His Reply
  5. C3.20 Piran’s Letter to Gudarz
  6. C4.60 Kay Khosrow Names Lohrasp Shah
  7. D9.8 The Iranians Place Khosrow on the Throne
  8. D13.7 Anooshirvan Subdues the Borderlands
  9. E6.5 Khosrow and Bahram Parley
  10. E6.51 The Ordering of Khosrow’s Realm

On the maps

A6.19Manuchehr Marches for Vengeance

Where the name appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
A6The First Kings: Fereydoon2C3The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs3C4The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow1D9Yazdegard I and the Rise of Bahram Goor1D13Anooshirvan and the Road to the End-time4E6Khosrow Parviz5

More in the Glossary and the index of places.