Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Yemenیمن

YA-man

An Arabian kingdom famed for its Canopus (Suhayl) star and its cloths and blades, where King Monzer raises the young Bahram Goor.

In the poem: First at A6.2, Jandal Goes to Yemen; last at E5.16, Bahram Chubin’s Anger at Parmudeh
Named: 41 times, in 27 sections
Main stories: A6 The First Kings: Fereydoon (15); D9 Yazdegard I and the Rise of Bahram Goor (10); D5 The Iskandar Cycle (5)

In the poem’s own words

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

A6.2

Jandal Goes to Yemen

When his three sons are grown, Fereydoon sends the shrewd Jandal to find three sisters as their brides. Jandal finds them at the court of Sarv, king of Yemen. Sarv dreads losing his daughters and consults his chiefs, but finds their advice useless.

A6.2.19
At last to Yemen’s royal court he came,Where Sarv the Shah possessed a noble name.
A6.2.30
He said: ‘Go seek King Sarv in Yemen’s land,And place my greeting in the sovereign’s hand.

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

A6.3

The King of Yemen Answers Jandal

Sarv agrees to the marriages on condition that the princes come to Yemen first. Fereydoon sends them off, warning that Sarv will seat his daughters in a misleading order and ask which is the eldest, and he tells them the answer.

A6.3.6
If you should ask my eyes, my troops, my reign,Or Yemen’s throne and all its royal gain,
A6.3.13
If justice guides them, I shall take their handBeneath my protection here in Yemen’s land.
A6.3.18
He came before Fereydoon with the word,And told him all in Yemen he had heard.

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

A6.4

Fereydoon’s Sons Go to Yemen

Yemen welcomes the three princes with jewels, musk and wine. At the feast Sarv presents his daughters in a misleading order and asks which is which, but the princes answer correctly, and he has to agree to the three marriages.

A6.4.5
When those three princes entered Yemen’s land,Both men and women came from every hand.

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

A6.18

Fereydoon Answers His Sons

Fereydoon rejects the plea: the murderers will meet Manuchehr only on the battlefield, and no treasure can buy a son’s blood. The envoy reports the splendor of Iran’s court, and Salm and Tur, alarmed, gather their armies and march on Iran.

A6.18.14
There Sahm, son of Nariman, will stand;And Sarv of Yemen guide the war he planned.
A6.18.70
Sarv, Yemen’s king, gave counsel with great care;Victorious Gashasb watched the treasure rare.

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

D5.16

Iskandar Goes on a Pilgrimage to the Kaaba

Iskandar turns from Hind toward Haram and the House that Ismail built. Nasr of Mecca meets him and tells how Qahtan and Khuza oppressed Ismail’s line; Iskandar destroys Khuza’s kin, frees Hijaz and Yemen, visits the shrine on foot, and relieves the poor.

D5.16.23
With many swordsmen came his mighty train;He seized Yemen by force and caused it pain.
D5.16.27
From Haram to Yemen he held command;The sea of Mesr lay beneath his hand.
D5.16.31
By policy and by his warriors’ might,He freed Hijaz and Yemen from their plight.

Yemen 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.

D9.2.54
They robed the king of Yemen in the hall,Then brought his royal mount before them all.
D9.2.58
When Monzer entered Yemen once again,The roads were thronged by women and by men.
D9.2.134
One played the harp; one, tulip-cheeked, shone farIn beauty, like Yemen’s Canopus star.

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

D9.5

Bahram and Numan Visit Yazdegard

Longing for his father, Bahram rides to Istakhr with Numan and Yemeni gifts. Yazdegard lodges him well but works him like a servant. Bahram sends Monzer a secret letter of complaint; Monzer counsels patience and sends money, goods, and the handmaid Bahram loves.

D9.5.4
Monzer prepared whatever was required,With gifts from Yemen fit to be admired.
D9.5.6
Striped cloth and Yemen falchions formed the store,With Adan’s gems and mines’ abundant ore.

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

D9.9

Bahram Goor Marches to Claim the Throne

Told that his father is dead and Khosrow crowned, Bahram mourns a month, then takes counsel with Monzer. Numan raises ten thousand Arab horsemen and harries Iran as far as Tisfoon. News of the vacant throne brings raiders from Rum, Chin, Hind and Makran.

D9.9.7
For two full weeks from Yemen rose the criesOf child and man and woman to the skies.
D9.9.9
Then Numan drew beside him; Monzer came,With Yemen’s Arabs, every rank and name.

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

All 27 sections that name Yemen