Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Marvمرو

MARV

A great city of Khorasan; Yazdegard, the last Shah, flees there and is betrayed by its lord Mahwi.

In the poem: First at B6.8, Kavus Sets the World in Order; last at E10.13, Bijan Marches against Mahwi
Named: 36 times, in 19 sections
Main stories: D10 The Bahram Goor Cycle: Justice, Foreign Adventures, and End of a Reign (9); E10 Yazdegard (7); E6 Khosrow Parviz (6)

In the poem’s own words

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

C9.1

The Prelude

Ferdowsi closes the tale of Esfandiyar and turns to Rostam’s death, naming as his source Azad Sarv of Marv, a descendant of Sahm who held an old book of kings. He praises Mahmud, laments his age and poverty, and calls the poem his monument.

C9.1.3
There was an ancient man named Azad Sarv,Who lived with Ahmad, son of Sahl, in Marv.
C9.1.31
To Sarv, who shone for Sahl Mahan at Marv,I turn again; the words of Azad Sarv.

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

D10.19

The Khan of Chin Invades Iran

Word spreads that Bahram neglects his frontiers, and the Khan of Chin invades. The nobles rage while the Shah keeps hunting and secretly arms. He leaves Narsi as regent and rides toward Azargashasp, and the frightened nobles send the Khan a letter of submission.

D10.19.70
When with my troops I reach Marv, I will bringThe land the colors of a pheasant’s wing.
D10.19.73
I shall come to Marv and there abide,Lest marching troops consume the countryside.”
D10.19.75
Then Chin’s lord brought his troops to Marv, and highThe riders’ dust rose black against the sky.

Marv named 4 times 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.

D10.20.1
The news reached Bahram: Marv was where they lay,The Khan and all his troops in vast array.
D10.20.10
No pheasant flew as fast as he drew nearTo Marv; a scout brought news for him to hear:
D10.20.22
From Kashmihan to Marv the Shah pressed on,His horses lean, their flesh by hard rides gone.

Marv named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D11.4

Balawsh

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

D13.20

Bozorgmehr’s Seven Feasts

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

E3.3

Anooshirvan’s Wise Replies

Reports reach the Shah and he rules on each: a hardened sinner hanged, a careless captain dismissed, Roman captives freed, extorted taxes returned to Marv and Balkh, pensions fixed for a dead warrior’s children. Ferdowsi closes by thanking Mahmud for noticing his poem.

E3.3.90
Another said, “At Marv the army chiefHas gathered wealth and brought the people grief.
E3.3.93
Proclaim it through Marv; at his gate shall standA gallows, plain to all within the land.

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

E6.37

Bahram Falls by Kharrad’s Design

Kharrad arms Kulun with a knife and the Khan’s seal, stolen in clay by the queen. At Marv, on the unlucky Bahram day, Kulun stabs Bahram and keeps silent under torture. Bahram counsels his sister, bequeaths his army to Yalan-sina, repents, and dies.

E6.37.2
He marched to Marv; then word to Chin was brought,To keep from Khosrow news of what they sought.
E6.37.48
He came to Marv; there he would wait and stayUntil the coming of Bahram day.

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

E10.9

Yazdegard Hides in the Mill

Mahwi brings Turkish troops from Samarkand against his own Shah and flees the field, leaving him ringed. Yazdegard fights, escapes, and hides in a mill beside the Zark. The miller offers barley bread and cress; the king asks for barsom, and the errand betrays him.

E10.9.5
The Shah is here at Marv with all his force,With crown and throne and treasure in his course.
E10.9.16
They rode to Marv to wage their bold campaign,In hope that Iran’s throne would be their gain.
E10.9.18
They reached the town of Marv within a week;The tabiras replied to the cock’s shriek.