New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II

Gorgasaranگرگساران

gor-ga-sah-RAHN

'Wolf-heads' (also read Kargasaran, 'vulture-heads'): a monstrous people Sahm fought; Bijan is found chained in a pit in their land.

In the poem
First at A7.6, Sahm Gives the Kingdom to Zal; last at C2.13, The Cup Reveals Bijan
Named
11 times, in 11 sections
Main stories
A8 The Story of Zal and Rudabeh (7); A7 The First Kings: Manuchehr (1); B1 The Crisis after Manuchehr (1)

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Gorgasaran most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Gorgasaran. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
A7.6

Sahm Gives the Kingdom to Zal

Ordered to campaign against Mazandaran and the Gorgasaran, Sahm entrusts Zal to his elders and gives him Zabul. Zal begs to go with him but is sent back. He takes the throne and studies with sages until his wisdom and beauty are famous.

  • A7.6.5
    Against Gorgasaran I now must go,With gathered troops to meet the rising foe.
Gorgasaran 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.

  • A8.7.37
    When near the lands where Gorgasaran stayed,He saw Sahm hunting through the mountain shade.
Gorgasaran named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
A8.8

Sahm Seeks Counsel

Sahm’s astrologers read the stars and foretell that the union will produce a world-conquering hero. Relieved, Sahm sends word that he will plead Zal’s case with the Shah and sets out for Iran with Gorgasaran captives, and the messenger brings Zal the good news.

  • A8.8.29
    A thousand Gorgasaran they bound that day,And drove them, wretched, on their feet away.
Gorgasaran named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
A8.10

Mehrab Is Not Pleased

Sindokht breaks the news to Mehrab through a parable of a tree whose fruit turns to poison. Mehrab draws his sword to kill Rudabeh, but Sindokht tells him Sahm already knows and makes him swear to spare her. Rudabeh is brought before him, cursed but unharmed.

  • A8.10.43
    He turned from Gorgasaran for this alone;The matter now is widely heard and known.”
Gorgasaran named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
A8.12

Sahm Comes to Manuchehr

Sahm tells Manuchehr of his victory over the Gorgasaran and their giant chief Kakouy. The Shah feasts him, but when Sahm tries to raise Zal’s suit, Manuchehr orders him to burn Kabul and root out Mehrab’s line. Sahm dares not protest.

  • A8.12.5
    “Tell me of war, of Gorgasaran’s domain,Of hostile armies gathered on the plain,
Gorgasaran named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
A8.13

Sahm Marches on Kabul

Kabul despairs at the Shah’s sentence. Zal rides to meet his father and, before the army, reproaches him for abandoning him at birth and now threatening the house he loves. Sahm admits his wrongs and promises to write to the Shah and send Zal to plead in person.

  • A8.13.42
    From Mazandaran comes this gift you send;From Gorgasaran you hastened to this end,
Gorgasaran named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
A8.14

Zal Going as an Envoy before Manuchehr

Sahm dictates a letter to Manuchehr recalling his long service, above all his slaying of the dragon of the Kashaf River. Pleading old age, he hands his command to Zal and asks the Shah to judge Zal’s love kindly. Zal sets out for court with the letter.

  • A8.14.57
    My gorz subdued the lands beneath your reign;Mazandaran, Gorgasaran domain.
Gorgasaran named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
A8.22

Zal Returns to Kabul, Sahm and Rudabeh

Zal returns to Sahm, who tells him of his pact with Sindokht. Father and son ride to Kabul, where Mehrab welcomes them. Zal and Rudabeh marry amid weeks of feasting. Afterwards Sahm gives Zal the rule of Sistan and marches against the Gorgasaran.

  • A8.22.70
    Toward Gorgasaran and Bakhtar he sped,His blessed standard lifted overhead.
Gorgasaran named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 11 sections that name Gorgasaran
  1. A7.6 Sahm Gives the Kingdom to Zal
  2. A8.7 Zal Writes to His Father
  3. A8.8 Sahm Seeks Counsel
  4. A8.10 Mehrab Is Not Pleased
  5. A8.12 Sahm Comes to Manuchehr
  6. A8.13 Sahm Marches on Kabul
  7. A8.14 Zal Going as an Envoy before Manuchehr
  8. A8.22 Zal Returns to Kabul, Sahm and Rudabeh
  9. B1.1 Nohzar Accedes to the Throne
  10. B6.7 Kavus’s Message to Afrasiab
  11. C2.13 The Cup Reveals Bijan

On the maps

A8.22Zal Returns to Kabul, Sahm and Rudabeh

Where the name appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
A7The First Kings: Manuchehr1A8The Story of Zal and Rudabeh7B1The Crisis after Manuchehr1B6The Folly of Kay Kavus1C2The Tale of Bijan and Manijeh1

More in the Glossary and the index of places.