Place · The Shahnameh · Volume III

Sasanianساسانیان

sah-sah-nee-YAHN

The royal house descended from Sasan, founded by Ardeshir, which rules Iran down to Yazdegard.

In the poem: First at D6.1, Praise for Mahmud; last at E10.11, The Death of Yazdegard
Named: 12 times, in 11 sections
Main stories: E6 Khosrow Parviz (5); E10 Yazdegard (4); D6 The Ashkanian Dynasty (1)

In the poem’s own words

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

D6.1

Praise for Mahmud

Ferdowsi praises Mahmud as the age’s greatest king, blesses his house and his commander Nasr, and reports a decree remitting a year’s taxes. He promises that this book will outlast every age, then lists the great dynasties that have vanished.

D6.1.31
Where are the great ones of Sasanian fame,The house of Bahram and the Samanian name?

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

E4.6

Anooshirvan’s Parting Counsel to Hormizd

Anooshirvan’s testament, written on silk: rule justly, use no deceit, take counsel, relieve the poor. He then dictates his own funeral — a sealed painted palace, his body embalmed, an ivory throne, two months of mourning. He lives one more year.

E4.6.58
Dress me in Kayanian royal mode,As Sasanian Shahs observed that code.

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

E5.5

Hormizd Calls for Bahram Chubin

Nastooh brings his aged father Mehran Setad, who tells how he chose Hormizd’s Chinese mother and how a Mobad then foretold a dark, lean horseman called Chubin who would break the Turk. He dies as he finishes. Bahram, son of Goshnasp, is found at Ardabil.

E5.5.17
Require a daughter of the queen instead;No slave shall share the Sasanian bed.’

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

E6.5

Khosrow and Bahram Parley

Across the Nahravan the king and the rebel abuse and argue with each other at length. Khosrow offers him command of Iran; Bahram offers a gibbet. They dispute whether kingship comes by blood, merit or conquest, trading precedents from Ardeshir to Rostam, until Khosrow laughs and turns back.

Sasanian named 1 time 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.

E6.16.9
Now holy God repays their evil ways;Sasanian Fortune dims beneath His gaze.

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

E6.23

The Intercepted Letter of Bahram Chubin

Bahram writes secretly to Khosrow’s chiefs, urging them to abandon the Sasanian line. His envoy, disguised as a merchant, sees Khosrow’s strength and hands the letters over. Khosrow forges encouraging replies, and Bahram, deceived, ignores his elders and marches to Azar Abadagan.

E6.23.10
Since first the Sasanian line ascended,Its kings in pride and greed have all contended.
E6.23.21
Do not put trust in the Sasanian throne;Their stock can yield no ruby of its own.

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

E6.35

Khosrow Writes to the Khan of Bahram

Khosrow demands Bahram in fetters; the Khan refuses, standing on his oath. Khosrow’s chiefs advise sending a patient envoy instead. Bahram meanwhile urges the Khan to invade Iran, promising him Rum as well, and marches out of Chin with Turkish troops behind him.

E6.35.55
I gird myself to serve with one design:To tear the Sasanian root from throne and line.”

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

E10.2

Sa’ad Invades, and Rostam Takes the Field

Umar sends Sa’ad Wakkas against Iran, and Rostam son of Ormozd takes command. At Kadisiya his astrolabe tells him the war is lost. He writes to his brother foretelling his own death, the fall of the House of Sasan, and four centuries in which nothing of his people will count.