Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, III

Alborzالبرز

al-BORZ

The sacred mountain where Fereydoon was hidden and the Simorgh made her nest, and where Kay Qobad was found.

In the poem: First at A5.3, The Birth of Fereydoon; last at E8.2, Khosrow Parviz Answers Shiruyeh
Named: 29 times, in 21 sections
Main stories: A7 The First Kings: Manuchehr (6); B2 Garshasp and the Transition to Kayanian Kingship (5); A5 Zahhak’s Tyranny and the Uprising of Kaveh (4)

In the poem’s own words

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

A5.3

The Birth of Fereydoon

Fereydoon is born. Zahhak’s men kill his father, Abtin, and his mother, Faranak, hides the child with the herdsman of the wonderful cow Barmayeh. When rumor spreads, she carries him to a holy man on Mount Alborz. Zahhak kills the cow and burns their house.

A5.3.30
To Hind I will go, and withdraw from sight;Then Mount Alborz shall hide him from their might.”
A5.3.32
Upon Alborz a holy man had madeHis dwelling, far from worldly toil and trade.

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

A5.4

Fereydoon Questions His Mother

At sixteen, Fereydoon comes down from Alborz and asks his mother who he is. She tells him of his father’s murder and the killing of Barmayeh. He burns for vengeance, but she warns him that Zahhak is still too strong.

A5.4.1
When twice eight years had passed, the prince drew near,Descending Alborz to the meadow clear.

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

A5.9

Fereydoon Binds Zahhak

Zahhak climbs into his palace by kamand and attacks, but Fereydoon strikes him down with the ox-headed gorz. Soroush forbids the killing. Fereydoon restores the order of warriors and craftsmen, then carries Zahhak to Mount Damavand and chains him in a bottomless cave.

A5.9.43
The Pure God raised me from Alborz on highTo cleanse the world where Dragon’s shadows lie.

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

A7.2

The Strange Birth of Zal

Sahm’s wife bears a beautiful son whose hair is snow-white. Ashamed, and fearing the child is the offspring of a Div, Sahm has him left on Mount Alborz. The Simorgh swoops down to take him for her chicks, but pity moves her and she raises him.

A7.2.38
There stood Mount Alborz, rising toward the sun,Far from the haunts where human feet had run.
A7.2.55
She bore him swiftly back to Alborz height,Where nest and brood were hidden from all sight.

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

A7.3

Sahm Dreams of His Son

Dreams rebuke Sahm, and his priests urge him to find his son. At Alborz he prays for a way up. The Simorgh names the youth Dastan, gives him a feather to summon her, and carries him down. Sahm repents and names him Zal-e-Zar.

A7.3.18
Next day the grieving champion chose to go,Toward lofty Mount Alborz he rode in woe.
A7.3.51
The Simorgh gazed from Alborz’ lofty height,And saw Sahm’s company come into sight.
A7.3.74
At once I shall come like cloud across the sky,And bear you safely back to Alborz high.

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

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.

A7.4.34
“By order of Yazdan of earth I wentTo Alborz, harsh and steep, on search intent.

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

A8.7

Zal Writes to His Father

Zal writes to Sahm, recalling his abandonment and his rearing by the Simorgh, confessing his love and reminding him of his vow to refuse him nothing. Sahm, campaigning among the Gorgasaran, reads it in dismay, fearing what a bird-reared son and a Div-descended bride might produce.

A8.7.30
He will recall, when God restored me thenFrom Mount Alborz before assembled men,

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

B2.4

Rostam Brings Kay Qobad from Alborz

Rostam rides to Alborz, breaking through the Turanian outposts, and finds a young prince feasting by a stream who turns out to be Kay Qobad. Qobad tells of a dream of falcons bearing a crown. On the way back Rostam kills Kulun, and he brings Qobad secretly to Zal.

B2.4.1
Then Zal addressed his son with words of weight,“Take up your gorz; toward Alborz ride straight.
B2.4.22
One mil away from Alborz’ lofty height,He saw a royal court in splendor bright.
B2.4.32
To Alborz I must ride without delay;A grave affair allows no rest or stay.