Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes II, III

Amuyآموی

ah-MOO-y

A town on the Jihun at the river crossing between Iran and Turan.

In the poem: First at C3.2, Afrasiab Summons the Army of Turan; last at E10.12, Mahwi of Sur Takes the Throne
Named: 14 times, in 11 sections
Main stories: E1 The Story of Mahbud and Other Matters (4); E6 Khosrow Parviz (4); C3 The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs (2)

In the poem’s own words

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

C3.2

Afrasiab Summons the Army of Turan

Shamed by Rostam’s raid, Afrasiab falls back on Khallokh, summons his chiefs, and resolves on total war. He opens the treasuries kept since Tur, sends Shideh with fifty thousand to Khwarazm, and orders Piran into Iran with fifty thousand more.

C3.2.18
At Amuy we must camp, and fight, and sendOur raids without respite, without an end.

Amuy 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.

C3.20.36
And lower still, the plains of Zam shall stand,With Amuy and Khatlan in your command.

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

C4.3

Afrasiab Hears of Piran’s Death

At Baikand, Afrasiab learns that Piran, Lahhak and Farshidvard are dead. He mourns, throws down his crown, swears to live as a soldier until he is avenged, pays his troops, leaves Qarakhan in Bukhara, ferries his army over the Jihun and ranks his sons for battle.

C4.3.82
The boats concealed the river’s streaming face;The troops moved toward Amuy’s desert place.

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

C4.10

The Armies Meet in Battle

The armies join. Gharan wears down Jahan, Gostaham drives on the right, and days of slaughter follow. Afrasiab spreads his ranks to get clear of the towered elephants. Khosrow prays behind his lines, kills Ila and unhorses Ustukila, and Afrasiab is pulled away at dusk.

C4.10.103
They seized their monarch’s reins and turned his steed,Then hurried him toward Amuy at full speed.

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

D10.21

Bahram Marks the Frontier and Crowns Shahra

Bahram crosses the river, breaks the Turkish army beyond it, and accepts tribute and hostages when their chiefs plead for the guiltless. He raises a stone pillar to mark the frontier, forbids crossings without his consent, and crowns Shahra king of Turan.

D10.21.3
One day and night brought Amuy to his sight;He sought no chase, but only war and fight.

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

E1.4

Ghatfar Defeated, Faghanish Crowned

The Khan of Chin sends gifts to Anooshirvan, and Ghatfar the Heytalian intercepts and kills the envoy. The Khan marches; after a week’s battle near Bukhara the Heytalians break. Their people resolve to seek Iran’s protection, and crown Faghanish of Chaghaniyan.

E1.4.42
From Balkh and Amuy to Khatlan they came,From Tirmid and Visagard, men known by name.

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

E1.11

Anooshirvan Marches to Tisfoon

The Khan yields Sughd, Chakh and Samarkand and withdraws. The eastern lords come with gifts and recite the history of their sufferings. The Shah prays, gives alms, halts at the fire of Azargashasp on the way home, and sends bride and treasure on to Tisfoon.

E1.11.15
Then nobles gathered from the lands around,From Chakh, Amuy, Khutan, on common ground.
E1.11.19
Khwarazm, Bukhara, Amuy, Zam; all these,Still bleed with wounds; our hearts can find no ease.

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

E6.43

Gurdiyeh Writes to Gordvi

Gurdiyeh halts at Amuy and writes to her brother, reporting Bahram’s death, the pursuit and her victory, asking him to lay her case and her counsel before the Shah, and waiting there for an answer.

E6.43.1
Upon the fourth day Amuy came in sight;No woman ever had matched her warlike might.
E6.43.2
She paused awhile at Amuy on the way,And in her heart her cares increased each day.
E6.43.10
I wait in Amuy; may my star shine clearAnd bring the answer I am seeking here.”