Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes II, III

Faratفرات

fo-RAHT

The Euphrates river, into which Homay casts the infant Darab.

In the poem: First at D2.1, Homahyi Abandons Her Son Darab on the River; last at E6.13, The Hermit’s Prophecy to Khosrow
Named: 12 times, in 8 sections
Main stories: D4 Dara and Iskandar (5); D2 Homahyi and the Founding of Darab’s Line (2); E5 Hormizd, Son of Anooshirvan (2)

In the poem’s own words

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

D2.1

Homahyi Abandons Her Son Darab on the River

Homahyi reigns justly, hides her pregnancy, and gives the baby to a nurse while telling the court he died. When his face begins to recall Bahman, she has a sealed coffer made, packs it with jewels, and casts it into the Farat at midnight.

D2.1.32
They bore it from Homahyi, out of sight,And cast it in Farat that very night.

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

D2.6

Homahyi Recognizes Her Son

Caesar’s tribute comes in and the army turns home. Rashnavad questions the foster parents, writes the whole story to Homahyi, and sends the ruby. She reads it, weeps, admits that she cast her son into the Farat for the crown’s sake, and gives alms.

D2.6.28
God gave a son I failed to prize or save;I cast him into Farat’s flowing wave.

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

D4.2

Faylaqus Dies and Iskandar Gains the Throne

Iskandar succeeds Faylaqus and takes the sage Arastatilis as his counselor. He refuses Dara’s tribute, calls his legions to cross the world, beats Mesr in eight days, and arms for Iran. Dara musters at Istakhr and lines the Farat with troops.

D4.2.44
He led his army to the Farat’s side,More troops than growing plants spread far and wide.

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

D4.4

Dara Fights Iskandar and Is Worsted

The armies meet with elephants in the van. After a week of fighting, dust blinds the Iranians on the eighth day; Dara leaves the field and his chiefs follow. The survivors recross the Farat, and Iskandar’s troops cut them down along the bank.

D4.4.3
From old Farat he marched across the land,More troops than blades of grass filled his command.
D4.4.19
His beaten troops crossed Farat in their flight,And left the field where they had waged the fight.
D4.4.22
The army turned away from Farat’s strand;They left the river at the Caesar’s command.

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

D4.6

Iskandar Fights Dara and Dara Flees

A third battle breaks Dara, who withdraws to Kerman. Iskandar enters Istakhr and proclaims protection for all who submit. Dara finds two-thirds of his chiefs gone, and the survivors advise him to write for peace, since the wheel will turn on Iskandar too.

D4.6.2
He led his legions from Farat arrayed,And in the Roman tongue to God he prayed.

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

D7.10

Ardeshir’s Last Message to Shapur

At seventy-eight and failing, Ardeshir charges Shapur: faith and kingship are twin brothers, treasure and anger are traps, slander and confidences are to be shunned. He foretells that his house will break the covenant and fall, lists the six cities he founded, and dies.

D7.10.103
And two in Maysan and by Farat’s flow,Where cattle, springs, and pastures richly grow.

Farat 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.

E5.4.21
That army marched and came to Farat’s shore;No grass survived where trampling horsemen tore.
E5.4.60
Against the Arab chiefs along Farat,He sent a troop to bar each ford and ghat;

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

E6.13

The Hermit’s Prophecy to Khosrow

Crossing the desert, Khosrow is fed by an Arab caravan chief and by a merchant, and a storm breaches the walls of Karsan for him. At Warigh a hermit knows him at sight and foretells Caesar’s help, a daughter’s hand, victory within a year, and betrayal by Gostaham.

E6.13.11
He gathered up his reins and onward went,Until he reached the Farat, travel-spent.
E6.13.20
Beside the Farat’s waters I abide,And from that home I came to this wood’s side.”

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