Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Rumروم

ROOM

Rome and Byzantium; the west.

In the poem: First at A0.12, Praise for Sultan Mahmud; last at E10.12, Mahwi of Sur Takes the Throne
Named: 321 times, in 156 sections
Main stories: E6 Khosrow Parviz (58); D13 Anooshirvan and the Road to the End-time (33); C5 Lohrasp (31)

In the poem’s own words

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

C5.9

Murin’s Suit for Caesar’s Daughter

Murin of Rum asks for a daughter and is told to kill the wolf of Faskun’s forest. His horoscope says an Iranian will do three great deeds, so he goes to Hishvi, who brings him to Goshtasb. Goshtasb agrees, and asks for Salm’s sword and a horse.

C5.9.1
There lived in Rum a noble of high fame,Rich, wise; Murin the Roman was his name.
C5.9.14
Murin replied, “Within this noble land,Since Rum was founded by the Maker’s hand,
C5.9.21
Shall do three mighty deeds by strength alone;And Rum’s great chiefs shall make his exploits known.

Rum named 5 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D2.5

Darab Fights the Roman Army

Darab leads the scouts, breaks the Roman lines in two battles, and comes back with a cross in his fist. Offered the pick of the spoil, he takes one spear. The Iranians burn Roman towns until Caesar’s envoy asks for terms.

D2.5.1
He spoke, then led his army on its way;From borderlands toward Rum they marched that day.
D2.5.13
When we return from Rum, our battles past,And reach this land with all the troops amassed,
D2.5.41
The warriors of Iran prepared to ride,And chased Rum’s shattered legions far and wide.

Rum named 5 times 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.

D4.2.1
Some days thereafter old Faylaqus died,And Rum was cast in turmoil far and wide.
D4.2.3
A sage of great renown then lived in Rum;Through him his homeland’s joy was in full bloom.
D4.2.21
The bird that laid those golden eggs has died;From Rum no tribute now shall be supplied.”

Rum named 7 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D8.1

Shapur, Son of Hormizd, Surnamed Zul-Aktaf

Rum named 26 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D13.8

Monzer Seeks Justice from Anooshirvan

Monzer, the Arab chief, meets the Shah on his return and complains that the Romans lord it over the desert horsemen. Anooshirvan sends Caesar a warning; Caesar answers with contempt. The Shah musters his troops and puts thirty thousand under Monzer to burn the Roman frontier.

D13.8.7
That veteran loosed his tongue; of Rum he spoke,Of Caesar’s pride, and of the desert folk.
D13.8.12
When desert horsemen meet Rum’s troops in fight,Their jowshans will not stand against our might.”
D13.8.15
He said, “Go now to Rum; do not delay,Or take your ease in settled towns by day.

Rum named 8 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D13.13

Anooshirvan Defeats Caesar’s Army

A Roman army under Farfuriyus is routed. The Shah levels the citadel of Kaliniyus but forbids his men to plunder it, then pardons its people, and after three days’ grace takes Antakiya in three battles. He admires the city’s gardens and sends its captives to Madain.

D13.13.1
Departing then, the Shah resumed his way,And left Rum’s Adornment behind that day.
D13.13.10
While thus he spoke before the watchful king,Rum’s dust-clouds rose as if on eagle’s wing.
D13.13.22
They swept Rum’s legions from the field in rout;Then Anooshirvan led his army out.

Rum named 7 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E4.1

Anooshirvan Prepares to March on Rum

Caesar dies. Anooshirvan writes kindly to his grandson, who takes offense at the Shah’s style, lodges the envoy far from court and refuses tribute. Anooshirvan swears by Azargashasp’s fire to humble Rum, and marches out from Madain.

E4.1.2
The news from Rum reached Anooshirvan’s throne;The message made the death of Caesar known:
E4.1.32
His heading names him Caesar, Rum’s own crown,The lord of all its country, field, and town.
E4.1.35
One Caesar died; another, in his stead,Now lifts Rum’s lofty banner overhead.

Rum named 7 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E6.16

Caesar Refuses Aid to Khosrow

On his counselor’s advice Caesar calls in four Roman sages, who advise refusing aid: Iran has bled Rum since Iskandar, and a restored Khosrow will demand tribute. Caesar changes his mind and writes so. Khosrow answers with restrained anger, threatens to seek the Khan instead, and sends Tukhar back to Rum.

E6.16.11
He soon will ask for tribute from this land,And trample Rum beneath his haughty hand.
E6.16.14
He sent a swift horseman out to conveyHis note and what Rum’s sages had to say.
E6.16.21
Ask ancient men who keep such matters clear,And question Rum’s wise sages without fear.