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

Bistoonبیستون

bee-SOON

A great mountain in western Iran, a byword for massive strength.

In the poem
First at A9.3, Rostam Slays the White Elephant; last at E6.5, Khosrow and Bahram Parley
Named
13 times, in 13 sections
Main stories
C8 The Tragedy of Rostam and Esfandiyar (2); A9 The Birth and Early Feats of Rostam; Manuchehr’s Closing Counsel (1); B2 Garshasp and the Transition to Kayanian Kingship (1)

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Bistoon most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Bistoon. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
A9.3

Rostam Slays the White Elephant

Woken by cries that the white elephant is loose, the boy Rostam breaks through the gate and kills it with one blow of Sahm’s gorz. Zal then sends him to avenge Nariman, killed besieging the impregnable fortress on Mount Sepand, by entering it disguised as a salt merchant.

  • A9.3.29
    Like Mount Bistoon it trembled at the blow,Then crashed upon the earth and was laid low.
Bistoon named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B2.2

Rostam Catches Rakhsh

Zal parades the horses of Zabul and Kabul, and Rostam tests each by pressing on its back. Only a fiery bay-piebald colt, guarded by its fierce dam, withstands him. Rostam catches it with his kamand, and the herdsman names the price: Iran itself.

  • B2.2.13
    A lion’s courage filled his fearless frame,Like those at Bistoon famed for strength and fame.
Bistoon named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B8.6

Sohrab Chooses His Charger

Sohrab needs a horse strong enough to carry him. He tests the herds, pressing many to the ground, until a warrior offers a colt of Rakhsh’s line. Sohrab mounts it, and his grandfather equips him royally for the march on Iran.

  • B8.6.25
    Like Bistoon’s peak he towered on the field,And raised a column-spear no man could wield.
Bistoon named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B13.29

Piran Reckons with Rostam’s Coming

Piran insists that the unknown archer cannot be Rostam, who never fights on foot, and describes Rostam’s strength, arms, tiger-skin and horse. Kamus, far from afraid, swears by God not to rest until he has avenged Ashkabus.

  • B13.29.39
    The steed he rides seems Bistoon on the plain,A moving mountain when he takes the rein.
Bistoon named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B14.8

The Battle Lines Are Drawn

At dawn both armies deploy: Gudarz, Fariborz and Tus face the Khan’s elephants, Kundur and Gahar. Piran reminds Shangul of his boast, and Shangul stands by it. The allied army advances in three divisions, its jeweled line of elephants stretching two mil across the plain.

  • B14.8.9
    The Khan held center; elephants stood high,Like Mount Bistoon rising toward the sky.
Bistoon named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C2.26

Afrasiab Comes against Rostam

Afrasiab’s nobles come to his gate ungirt with shame, and he arms all Turan. Rostam sets his small force with the mountain at his back, wings under Ashkash, Gostaham, Rohham and Zangeh, and answers the great army with a speech of beast-proverbs.

  • C2.26.32
    Behind the army rose Bistoon’s great height;Before it stood a wall of swords for fight.
Bistoon named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C4.15

Khosrow’s Second Battle with Afrasiab

Both armies form up at Gulzaryun and fight until they can barely stand. Khosrow prays face down behind his lines, and a wind rises that drives the dust into the Turanians, who break. Afrasiab beheads his own runaways and waits for morning.

  • C4.15.3
    Approaching Gulzaryun, that mighty forceMade earth like Mount Bistoon beneath its course.
Bistoon named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C6.12

The Opening of the Battle

The armies close under a storm of arrows. Goshtasb watches from the mountain on armored Behzad. Ardeshir rides out and is shot through the waist; Hormizd avenges him and falls; Shidasp unhorses a Turkish champion and is killed by an arrow in turn.

  • C6.12.4
    He called for black Behzad, that mighty horse,Like Mount Bistoon in stature and in force.
Bistoon named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 13 sections that name Bistoon
  1. A9.3 Rostam Slays the White Elephant
  2. B2.2 Rostam Catches Rakhsh
  3. B8.6 Sohrab Chooses His Charger
  4. B13.29 Piran Reckons with Rostam’s Coming
  5. B14.8 The Battle Lines Are Drawn
  6. C2.26 Afrasiab Comes against Rostam
  7. C4.15 Khosrow’s Second Battle with Afrasiab
  8. C6.12 The Opening of the Battle
  9. C8.8 Bahman Delivers Esfandiyar’s Message
  10. C8.23 Rostam Flees to the Heights
  11. D10.14 Bahram Slays Lions and Weds Arezu
  12. E1.11 Anooshirvan Marches to Tisfoon
  13. E6.5 Khosrow and Bahram Parley

Where the name appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
A9The Birth and Early Feats of Rostam; Manuchehr’s Closing Counsel1B2Garshasp and the Transition to Kayanian Kingship1B8The Tragedy of Rostam & Sohrab1B13Mount Hamavan and the Kamus Campaign1B14The Great Battle with the Khan of Chin1C2The Tale of Bijan and Manijeh1C4The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow1C6Goshtasb, Zardosht, and the War with Arjasp1C8The Tragedy of Rostam and Esfandiyar2D10The Bahram Goor Cycle: Justice, Foreign Adventures, and End of a Reign1E1The Story of Mahbud and Other Matters1E6Khosrow Parviz1

More in the Glossary and the index of places.