Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Parsپارس

PAHRS

The province of Persis in the south-west.

In the poem: First at B1.5, Afrasiab Battles Nohzar Again; last at E6.11, Bahram Chubin Claims the Throne
Named: 57 times, in 43 sections
Main stories: D6 The Ashkanian Dynasty (9); B1 The Crisis after Manuchehr (8); D12 Qobad and the Mazdakite Revolution (6)

In the poem’s own words

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

B1.6

Nohzar’s Third Battle with Afrasiab

In the third battle Shapur falls and Nohzar retreats into the fortress of Dehestan. When Afrasiab sends Kurukhan to seize the royal women in Pars, Gharan and the chiefs slip away by night against the Shah’s wishes, and Gharan kills Barman on the road.

B1.6.26
“To Pars advance by desert’s hidden way,For there the Iranian baggage lay.
B1.6.44
Their judgment settled: Pars must be their way;They could not rest upon that field and stay.
B1.6.56
His champions followed close behind their guide,As all at once toward Pars he turned to ride.

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

B3.5

Kay Qobad Goes to Istakhr of Pars

Kay Qobad makes Istakhr in Pars his capital, proclaims a reign of justice and spends ten years touring his realm and building. After a hundred years on the throne he calls his eldest son, Kay Kavus, warns him to be just and not to trust fortune, and dies.

B3.5.1
From there Kay Qobad rode to Pars’ domain,Where keys to royal treasures would remain.
B3.5.16
But when at last Time’s claw on him was laid,He turned toward Pars as life began to fade.
B3.5.17
He turned to Pars and sat his throne again,With Mobadan, star-readers, learned men.

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

D6.5

Golnar Falls in Love with Ardeshir

Ardavan’s favorite slave Golnar sees Ardeshir from the palace roof and climbs down to him by kamand. Babak dies. Golnar overhears the astrologers predict that a man now held low will flee and become king, and she agrees to escape with Ardeshir, taking jewels from the treasury.

D6.5.20
The chiefs each sought to govern Pars instead;He chose his eldest son to be their head.
D6.5.69
Together in the night to Pars they sped,Their hearts rejoicing as in stealth they fled.

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

D6.7

Ardavan Writes to His Son to Capture Ardeshir

Ardavan orders his son Bahman to hunt Ardeshir down in secret. Ardeshir reaches the water, is recognized as Kayanian by the old boatman, and gathers the scattered kin of Babak and Dara. He claims the throne as Esfandiyar’s heir, founds a city, and rides for Istakhr.

D6.7.5
Toward Pars he rides; in secret seek his trail,And tell no other person of this tale.”
D6.7.37
You now renew the kingship of the land;First clear fair Pars of weeds with steady hand,

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

D8.1

Shapur, Son of Hormizd, Surnamed Zul-Aktaf

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

D9.2

Bahram Goor Is Born and Raised by an Arab

In Yazdegard’s eighth year Bahram is born under happy stars, and the astrologers foretell that the seven climes will bow to him. Fearing the father’s nature, the Mobadan urge fostering him abroad. Yazdegard gives him to Monzer, who has him nursed, schooled and horsed.

D9.2.37
When all these chiefs in Pars had gathered round,They came before the Shah on royal ground.
D9.2.41
From Rum and Hind and Pars, men here are wiseIn measured forms and motions of the skies.

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

D9.8

The Iranians Place Khosrow on the Throne

The chiefs bury Yazdegard and swear that none of his blood shall reign. Gashasp the scribe denounces the dead king; frontier lords claim the crown and the realm falls into tumult. The council in Pars looks for a just and generous man and crowns Khosrow, an aged noble.

D9.8.3
They gathered all in Pars, a mourning wave,And stood together by the monarch’s grave.
D9.8.23
Met there in Pars and weighed the realm’s distress,And spoke at length of ways to bring redress.

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

D12.2

The Fall of Sofrye

Sofrye retires to Shiraz and rules Pars as a king without a crown. Courtiers persuade Qobad that he is a rival, and Shapur of Rey is sent to arrest him. Sofrye submits with dignity; Qobad imprisons him and, on the Mobadan’s advice, has him killed.

D12.2.7
All Pars submitted wholly to his will;He had no crown, but ruled the kingdom still.
D12.2.17
All Pars has grown a slave beneath his hand;The great men bow to him throughout the land.”
D12.2.56
The tidings reached Sofrye; he amassedHis strength from all of Pars, a muster vast.