CONTENTS

List of Illustrations xiii Preface xvii

Introduction: The Poet & the Poem 1

EPITOME OF THE SHAHNAMA

Prologue 10

I THE 11 REIGN OF GAY UM ARTH 11 REIGN OF 11 REIGN OF TAHMURATH 12 REIGN OF 13 The Splendour of jamshid 13 The Tyranny of 13 The Coming of Faridun 15 REIGN OF FARIDUN 16 Faridun & his Three Sons 16 REIGN OF MINUCHIHR 18 Zal & 18 Birth & Early Exploits of Rustam 20 REIGNS OF NAWDAR, ZAV & 21 War with 21

Robinson, B.W. digitalisiert durch: The Persian Book of Kings IDS Basel Bern 2014 viii THE PERSIAN BOOK OF KINGS

II THE 23 REIGN OF KAY QUBAD 23 Rustam's Quest for Kay Qubad 23 REIGN OF KAY KA'US 24 Disaster in 24 Rustam's Setzen Stages 26 Wars of Kay Ka'us 30 The Flying Machine 31 Rustam's Raid 32 Rustam & Suhrab 32 The Tragedy of Siyawush 36 Birth of Kay Khusraw 40 Revenge for Siyawush 41 Finding of Kay Khusraw 41 Abdication of Kay Ka'us 43 REIGN OF KAY KHUSRAW 43 Tragedy of Farud 43 Persian Reverses 45 Second Expedition: Continuing Reverses 46 Rustam to the Rescue 47 Rustam's Overthrow of Kamus, the Khaqan, and Others 48 Successful Termination of the Campaign 50 Rustam & the Demon Akwan 51 & Manizha 53 Battie of the Twelve Rukhs 57 Afrasiyab's Last Campaign 60 Capture & Execution of Afrasiyab 63 The Last Days of Kay Khusraw 65 REIGN OF LUHRASP 65 Gushtasp in Rum 65 REIGN OF GUSHTASP 68 The Prophet 68 Vicissitudes of Isfandiyar 69 Isfandiyar's Seven Stages 70 Rustam & Isfandiyar 74 Death of Rustam 76 REIGN OF BAHMAN 78 REIGN OF QUEEN HUMAY 78 CONTENTS ix

REIGN OF DARAB 79 Birth of Iskandar 79 REIGN OF DARA 79 REIGN OF ISKANDAR 79 Iskandar in 79 Iskandar & Queen Qaydafa 81 Further Travels & Death of Iskandar 83

III THE ASHKANIAN DYNASTY 87 REIGN OF ARDAWAN 88 Rise of Ardashir 88

IV THE S ASANI AN DYNASTY 91 REIGN OF 91 The Worm of Kerman 91 Birth of 93 Shapur & the Daughter of Mihrak 94 REIGN OF 94 REIGNS OF HURMUZD I, I, BAHRAM II, BAHRAM III, & HURMUZD II 95 REIGN OF SHAPUR II 96 War with the 96 Shapur in Rum 96 Mani 91 REIGNS OF ARDASHIR II, SHAPUR III & BAHRAM IV 97 REIGN OF YAZDAGIRD I 98 Arabian Education of Prince Bahram 98 Mysterious Death of Yazdagird 99 REIGN OF (BAHRAM GUR) 100 Bahram Wins the Crown 100 Anecdotes of Bahram Gur 100 1 The Water-Carrier & the Jew 100 2 Bau on Winc-Drinking 102 3 The Deserted Village 103 4 The Miller's Daughters 104 5 The Treasures of Jamshid 104 x THE PERSIAN BOOK OF KINGS

6 The Unobliging Merchant 105 7 Bahram Gur changes his Mind 106 8 Bahram Gur adds Three to his Harem 108 9 Bahram Gur makes a Further Addition to his Harem 109 10 Bahram Gur & the Miser 110 11 A Great Hunting Expedition 111 Victories of Bahram Gur 111 Bahram Gur in India & his Return 113 REIGNS OF YAZDAGIRD II & HURMUZD III 116 REIGN OF PIRUZ 116 Crushing Defeat of Piruz 116 REIGN OF 117 Piruz Avenged 117 FIRST REIGN OF QUBAD 118 Rebellion 118 REIGN OF 118 Temporary Absence of Qubad 118 SECOND REIGN OF QUBAD 119 Prince Kisra & the Mazdakites 119 REIGN OF NUSHIRWAN 119 Insolence & Defeat of Caesar 119 Revolt of Nushzad 120 Buzurjmihr as Dream Interpreter 121 The Misfortunes of Mahbud 122 Nushirwan marries the Khan's Daughter 123 Introduction of Chess 124 The Book of Kaiila wa Dimna obtained 125 Buzurjmihr & the Locked Casket 126 Nushirwan's Last Campaign 127 REIGN OF HURMUZD IV 127 The Rise of Bahram Chubina 127 Bahram Chubina & Parmuda 130 Bahram Chubina proclaims himself King 130 War between Khusraw & Bahram Chubina 131 REIGN OF KHUSRAW (PARVIZ) 132 Caesar's Talisman 133 The War Renewed 134 Bahram Chubina in Chin 135 CONTENTS xi

Murder of Bahram Chubina 137 Activities of Gurdiya 137 Birth of Shirwi 139 Khusraw & Shirin 140 Barbad the Minstrel 140 Fall of Khusraw 140 REIGN OF QUBAD II (SHIRWI) 142 Murder of Khusraw 142 REIGNS OF ARDASHIR III, GURAZ, PURANDUKHT, AZARMIDUKHT & 143 Period of Confusion 143 REIGN OF YAZDAGIRD III 144 The Arab Invasion 144 Fl flu & Murder of Yazdagird 144 The Bitter End: Firdawsi signs off 145

Notes 147 Table of the Kings in the Shahnama 153 Select Bibliography 155 Index 157