Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Ardabilاردبیل

ar-da-BEEL

A city of Azarbaijan.

In the poem: First at B10.33, The Kingship Is Debated before Kavus; last at E6.12, The Plot against Bahram Chubin
Named: 11 times, in 11 sections
Main stories: E5 Hormizd, Son of Anooshirvan (3); C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (2); E6 Khosrow Parviz (2)

In the poem’s own words

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

B10.33

The Kingship Is Debated before Kavus

Before Kavus, Tus argues for Fariborz and Gudarz for Khosrow, and the two nearly come to blows. Kavus sets a test: whichever prince takes the Div-haunted fortress of Bahman near Ardabil will be king.

B10.33.41
Let each lead troops to Ardabil and ride,Each with his own array, as I decide.

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

C4.2

Kay Khosrow Musters against Afrasiab

With Piran dead, Kay Khosrow calls up the whole realm against Afrasiab. He gives Rostam, Gudarz and Tus three roads to watch, summons every province by letter, and sets out his order of battle: wings, elephants, crossbowmen, spearmen and reserves.

C4.2.58
The chiefs from Barda and from ArdabilStood ranked before the Shah in gleaming steel.

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

C4.14

Khosrow Crosses the Jihun

Khosrow crosses the Jihun, relieves the ruined marches of Sughd and rests a month. He orders mercy for Turks who submit and destruction for those who fight, and his troops raze strongholds for a hundred farsangs. At Gang, Afrasiab’s elders can advise only war.

C4.14.15
From Barda and Ardabil troops drew near,All armed, obedient, and free from fear.

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

D10.20

Bahram’s Assault on the Khan’s Army

Learning that the Khan lies feasting at Marv, Bahram marches a light column across northern Iran, surprises the Turkish camp at Kashmihan at dawn, and takes the Khan captive with three hundred chiefs. He pursues the fleeing for thirty farsang and divides the spoil.

D10.20.5
From Ardabil to Amol rode the force,Like mountain torrents rushing on their course.

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

D11.3

The Reign of Pirooz

Ardabil 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.

D13.3.6
The wary Shah joined Ardabil to these,Armenia, and Gilan by the seas.

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

E5.4

The Realm Rises against Hormizd

In his tenth year enemies come from every side: Saveh of the Turks from Herat with elephants, Caesar from Rum, Khazars into Armenia, Arab horsemen on the Euphrates. With his counselors dead, Hormizd buys off Rum, beats the Khazars, and is left facing Saveh.

E5.4.17
From Armenia to Ardabil they spread;Their troops filled all the country as they sped.

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

E5.5

Hormizd Calls for Bahram Chubin

Nastooh brings his aged father Mehran Setad, who tells how he chose Hormizd’s Chinese mother and how a Mobad then foretold a dark, lean horseman called Chubin who would break the Turk. He dies as he finishes. Bahram, son of Goshnasp, is found at Ardabil.