Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Mesrمصر

MESR

Egypt.

In the poem: First at B6.1, Kavus Wars with Hamavaran; last at E6.54, Khosrow Answers with Gifts
Named: 22 times, in 14 sections
Main stories: D5 The Iskandar Cycle (8); B6 The Folly of Kay Kavus (6); D4 Dara and Iskandar (4)

In the poem’s own words

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

B6.1

Kavus Wars with Hamavaran

Kavus tours his empire from Turan and Chin to Makran, defeats the king of Barbar, receives homage at Mount Kaf and feasts with Rostam in Zabul. When Mesr and Sham rebel, he crosses the sea and defeats the allied kings; Hamavaran submits.

B6.1.31
In Mesr and Sham he raised his standard high,And stirred the people with rebellion’s cry.
B6.1.42
On left was Mesr, Barbar on the right,Before him Hamavaran armed for fight.

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

B6.5

Rostam’s Message to Hamavaran

Rostam sends comfort to Kavus and a warning to the king of Hamavaran, who defies him. Rostam crosses by sea and routs the first army. The king calls in the kings of Barbar and Mesr, and Kavus secretly tells Rostam to fight without regard for his safety.

B6.5.44
“Ride hard to Barbar and to Mesr with haste,Let not a moment of the journey waste.

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

B6.6

Rostam Battles the Three Kings

Rostam leads the Iranians against the three allied kings. He catches one king with his kamand and plucks him from the saddle, Guraza captures the king of Barbar, and the king of Hamavaran sues for peace and frees Kavus and his chiefs. Kavus gathers a vast army.

B6.6.10
The third, from Mesr, formed its battle might,The air grew dark; the earth was lost from sight.
B6.6.48
From Barbar, Mesr, Hamavaran they came,A hundred thousand horsemen in his name.

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

B6.7

Kavus’s Message to Afrasiab

Kavus seeks troops from Rum, and loyal Iranians report that they have resisted Afrasiab. Kavus orders Afrasiab out of Iran; Afrasiab claims the throne by descent from Tur and by conquest. In the battle that follows the Turanians are routed and Afrasiab flees home.

B6.7.6
Then news from Hamavaran was conveyedOf Rostam’s blows on Mesr and Barbar made.

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

B8.13

Kavus’s Anger at Rostam

Kavus, furious at the delay, orders Rostam and Giv hanged. Rostam strikes Tus, declares that his strength comes from God alone and rides away. Gudarz talks Kavus into repentance, then shames Rostam into returning with a rumor that he fears Sohrab. King and champion are reconciled.

B8.13.21
Rum, Sagzar, Mesr, Chin have yielded ground;Mazandaran, Hamavaran were bound.

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

B9.42

Siavash Founds Siavash-Gard

Afrasiab summons Siavash back to a new province. The prince travels with great wealth to Khorram-Bahar, lays out a city two farsangs square, fills it with palaces and gardens, and paints its halls with scenes of Kavus, Rostam and Afrasiab. It is named Siavash-Gard.

B9.42.14
From Mesr and Chin, and Pars came woven freight,Thirty full camel-loads of costly weight.

Mesr 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.

D4.2.32
From Rum to Mesr the legions thronged the way;No ant or gnat could pass that vast array.
D4.2.34
The eighth day brought the troops of Mesr defeat;Iskandar barred the road of their retreat.
D4.2.37
They gathered belts and horse gear wrought of gold,And swords of Mesr that golden scabbards hold.

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

D5.17

Iskandar Leads His Troops from Judda to Mesr

Iskandar has ships built at Judda and sails to Mesr, where Qaytun submits and the army rests a year. In Andalus, Queen Kaydafa sends a draftsman to bring back Iskandar’s likeness; the portrait warns her never to oppose him. Qaytun praises her wealth and her stone city.

D5.17.3
From Judda toward Mesr he took his way,And led his marching army in array.
D5.17.4
Qaytun was king of Mesr; his troops were vast;All reckoning of numbers they surpassed.
D5.17.8
The Shah remained in Mesr a year of peace,And let his weary army’s labors cease.