Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Sariساری

sah-REE

A city of Tabaristan.

In the poem: First at A6.26, Fereydoon Receives the Head of Salm; last at E10.5, Yazdegard Withdraws to Khorasan
Named: 14 times, in 10 sections
Main stories: B1 The Crisis after Manuchehr (6); A6 The First Kings: Fereydoon (1); A8 The Story of Zal and Rudabeh (1)

In the poem’s own words

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

A6.26

Fereydoon Receives the Head of Salm

Manuchehr reports his victory and returns with the treasure of the Alanons fortress. Fereydoon comes out on foot to greet him, entrusts him to Sahm, prays to be released from life, and crowns Manuchehr with his own hand.

A6.26.22
From Gilan’s sea, a black cloud swept the plain,And marched toward Sari in an ordered train.

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

A8.11

Manuchehr Hears of Zal and Rudabeh

Manuchehr learns of the match and fears that a child of Zahhak’s line may one day threaten the throne. He sends his son Nohzar to summon Sahm, who feasts the prince and rides for court, where the Shah’s army turns out to greet him.

A8.11.33
From Sari and from Amol rose a sound,Like boiling seas that shook the country round.

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

B1.11

Nohzar Falls to Afrasiab

Enraged by his losses, Afrasiab has Nohzar dragged before him and beheads him with his own hand. Aghriras saves the other captives, who are sent in chains to Sari, and Afrasiab rides to Rey and sets the Kayanian crown on his own head.

B1.11.30
In Sari let them wake to grief and shame;Withdraw your hand from blood and end this claim.”
B1.11.32
He gave command they should in bonds be cast;To Sari, chained and humbled, they were passed.

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

B1.12

Zal Hears of Nohzar’s Death

The Iranians mourn Nohzar and Zal vows vengeance. The captives at Sari beg Aghriras for help, and he promises to withdraw if an Iranian force approaches. Keshvad rides from Zabul, Aghriras pulls back, and Zal welcomes the freed nobles.

B1.12.29
At Sari captives heard the news relayed:Swift hiyuns sped; vast troops drew near, arrayed.
B1.12.45
When near to Sari Dastan comes in sight,I will give you all and quit the fight.
B1.12.48
From Sari sped a courier on his steed,To bear the message in their hour of need:

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

C8.3

Goshtasb Replies to His Son

Goshtasb grants that his son has no peer but Rostam, then names his price for the crown: march to Sistan and bring back Rostam, Zal, Zavareh and Faramarz in bonds. Esfandiyar protests the injustice, is refused twice, and leaves in anger.

C8.3.27
On eagles’ wings he climbed the heavens high,Then fell in Sari’s waters from the sky.

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

D13.6

Anooshirvan Fortifies the Pass

The Shah tours his realm, camping outside settlements and asking whether his officers have wronged anyone. In the Caspian forests he hears that Turkish raiders have emptied the country, and orders a great stone wall built up from the sea, with an iron gate and watchmen.

D13.6.14
When nightingales had filled the world with song,To Sari and to Amol moved the throng.

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

E5.24

Bahram Chubin Reveals His Ambition

Bahram lays his case before his chiefs, who answer in riddles and proverbs. His sister Gurdiyeh breaks in and argues from precedent that no subject has ever taken the crown. The council praises her; Bahram, unmoved, calls for wine and for Esfandiyar’s Seven Stages.

E5.24.96
But through perverse desire and reckless pride,At Sari he was shamed and cast aside.

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

E6.45

Gostaham Rebels and Weds Gurdiyeh

Hearing that Khosrow has killed his brother Bandvi, Gostaham raises the north in revolt and lives off raids. Gurdiyeh reaches him with her warriors after her flight from Chin. Yalan-sina sounds her out, and she agrees to marry Gostaham because he is Iranian.