Place · The Shahnameh · Volume III

Tisfoonطیسفون

tees-FOON

Ctesiphon, the royal capital of the Sasanian kings.

In the poem: First at D6.16, Ardeshir Slays Haftvad; last at E10.6, Yazdegard Writes to Mahwi
Named: 42 times, in 27 sections
Main stories: E5 Hormizd, Son of Anooshirvan (13); D8 The Shapur Zul-Aktaf Cycle and Later Early Sasanian Reigns (8); E1 The Story of Mahbud and Other Matters (4)

In the poem’s own words

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

D6.16

Ardeshir Slays Haftvad

Haftvad storms the fortress and fails. Ardeshir calls Shahrgeer up, and Haftvad and Shahvi are taken, hung on gibbets by the sea and shot dead. Ardeshir gives away the spoil, founds a fire-temple, rewards his two hosts with provinces, and takes the throne at Tisfoon.

D6.16.25
He journeyed on to Tisfoon, where the throneOf his defeated foe became his own.

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

D8.1

Shapur, Son of Hormizd, Surnamed Zul-Aktaf

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

E1.11

Anooshirvan Marches to Tisfoon

The Khan yields Sughd, Chakh and Samarkand and withdraws. The eastern lords come with gifts and recite the history of their sufferings. The Shah prays, gives alms, halts at the fire of Azargashasp on the way home, and sends bride and treasure on to Tisfoon.

E1.11.67
With servants of all ranks in fine array,He sent them on to Tisfoon that day.
E1.11.70
The Khan’s fair daughter, treasure, baggage, train,All journeyed on to Tisfoon’s broad plain.
E1.11.101
They blessed the Shah who ruled the world, and thenToward Tisfoon he led his fighting men.

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

E5.7

Bahram Chubin Rides against Saveh

Bahram asks for a recorder of deeds and marches from Tisfoon. He takes a sheep’s head from a seller’s basket as an omen of Saveh’s beheading. The Shah, warned he will one day turn, tries to recall him and is refused. A horseman is executed for stealing straw.

E5.7.9
From Tisfoon all the army marched that day,With Bahram Chubin leading on the way.
E5.7.25
As Bahram rode out from Tisfoon’s domain,He led his chosen force across the plain.

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

E5.26

Bahram’s Letter and Khosrow’s Flight

Bahram’s letter renounces Hormizd and declares for Khosrow, hoping the father will kill the son. Hormizd, seeing letter and coins, orders Khosrow poisoned. Warned by a chamberlain, Khosrow flees to Azar Abadagan, where the frontier lords swear to him; Hormizd imprisons his kin.

E5.26.16
The envoy rode with noblemen from Rey;To Tisfoon’s royal court they made their way.
E5.26.37
He learned the plot and fled that very night;He left Tisfoon and vanished out of sight.

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

E5.27

Hormizd’s Captain Is Slain

Hormizd sends Ayin Gashasp against Bahram, with orders to sound him out first. A freed convict joins the army; a star-reader at Hamadan names him as the chief’s killer. Ayin Gashasp sends him to court carrying his own death warrant; the man reads it and beheads him.

E5.27.53
Yet now, if I return to Tisfoon’s walls,My blood and marrow boil at what befalls.”
E5.27.78
A portion fled to Khosrow’s camp in fear;While some to Tisfoon brought the tidings clear.

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

E5.29

Khosrow Learns of His Father’s Blinding

A courier rides to the shrine of Azargashasp with news of the coup. Khosrow grieves, disclaims all joy in it, and marches from Barda, Ardabil and Armenia toward the capital, which welcomes him and sets up an ivory throne, while he thinks of his father in despair.

E5.29.3
He came when one night of the month had passed,And told of Tisfoon’s turmoil, first to last.
E5.29.13
When Tisfoon learned that Khosrow sought the crownAnd now approached the people of the town,

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

E8.1

Shiruyeh Takes the Throne

Crowned as Qobad, Shiruyeh promises justice and sends Ashtad and Kharrad Barzin to Tisfoon with a written charge against his father. Galinush admits them. A quince rolls from Khosrow’s cushion to the floor; he reads his house’s ruin in it, hears the charges out, and answers with a rebuke.

E8.1.25
Take now the road to Tisfoon; there conveyTo my glorious sire the words I say.
E8.1.48
In tears they rode until they reached the wallOf great Tisfoon; grief lay on them like a pall.

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

All 27 sections that name Tisfoon