The Book of Kings by Firdausi Legendary beauty, epic love story Brought fire from stone; Mihráb Ultimate Hero Came down from the founded fire-worship Narímán Zúára mountains clad in the Síndokht Giant; almost killed skins of beasts Binder of demons Rúdábeh Ferámurz Rustem in a duel staged 40 years Wise but succumbed to hubris, sister of Gíw by Afrásiyáb 30 years Húsheng 30 years became a wandering king; Tahúmers Sám Kaiúmers was sawn in two Zál Rustem Sháh-rú Saiámuk Barzú Tahmíneh Sohráb Jemshíd 700 years Legendary warrior and maid servant advisor to Feridún Arnawáz Sadly killed by his own by conquest Arabian king who died Shughad father in a duel in a pit trap dug by his TÁN own son Mirtás-Tázi Zohák ÁBULIS S OF Z Betrayer of Rustem, killed when 1000 years HERO of tyranny THE b the victim in turn pinned a tree to y Gustahem Had snakes that c Mahafríd 120 years the traitor with an arrow o fed on brains n Pishung Minúchihr Nauder q Tús to A selection of frequently mentioned characters u Irij o heirs e Shahrnáz 7 years y s o t un Zohák was a supremely evil character. The demon Iblís g Zohák inspired him to kill his own father to become the king of the Abtín Feridún 500 years Sílim Tahmasp 5 years Arabs. He had two snakes that he fed with the brains of his Legendary blacksmith Zau Garshásp subjects. He usurped Persia by capturing the wandering king Faránuk who forged the legendary Decapitated by 9 years Jemshíd and having him saw in two. Zohák was finally slain by Feridún the prophesied hero , who then married a descendant cow-headed mace for Legend King of Rúm tence Feridún evil brother, Túr e to incompe Feridún and begat legendary and Kháwer replaced du of the ancient kings and became one of the most important and heroes revered of the old Persian Kings. Walked into a mysterious Rustem is the most renowned hero of the Sháh Námeh, Rustem perhaps of all Persian culture. He slew a variety of monsters Kobád Arish fountain and vanished Kavah Power hungry Fríburz and saved the Persian Kings countless times. Famously, he king of Túrán endured seven heroic labors during a march to Mázinderán Shírúeh Poshín where he slew the White Demon and freed king Kai-káús from Gúlshaher Ferúd Túr captivity. Aramín Afrásiyáb was a notorious king of the villainous Túránians. Shahpúr Kai-kobád 60 years Afrásiyáb Saiáwush Kai-khosráu Through nearly two thirds of the poem he was trying to invade 100 years Kai-káús Persia or commit mischief. The final straw, however, was drawn 150 years h when Afrásiyáb executed the beloved prince Saiáwush in a Kárun g ÁN Ferangís u sacrificial manner. Kai-khosráu took legendary vengeance for S OF TÚR o LAIN n VIL e his father’s death (then later became king). CH- AR Aghríras d E Sarkhá o TH o Isfendiyár was a legendary and holy hero and prince of Persia g Isfendiyár GE t who did much conquering for his country. He nearly defeated AL A o THE MYTHIC Poshang Pírán-wísah Shydah-Poshang n Rustem in a prolonged duel; the Zábulistán hero only prevailed as w with the help of sorcery and the aid of the mythological bird r ei Símúrgh. Even so, killing Isfendiyár was such an offence to the Afrásiyáb Maníjeh h al Zoroastrian God that Rustem and his whole house became Evil Nemesis re e cursed for the remainder of their lives. Byzun th as parent - child Hujír rs Sikander is the Persian name for Alexander of Macedon, who rrio Sikander Gúdarz wa we popularly refer to as Alexander the Great. At odds with l of ancestor - descendant One of the greatest Persian Rehám nci Western traditions, he is recorded in the Sháh Námeh as being cou generals, companion of by the son of a Persian King and he didn’t so much conquer Persia spouses ed Rustem; had 78 sons and Gíw int as he by happenstance claimed his birthright while merely O po traveling through there, his the real ambition being to explore royal succession grandsons TH ÁN ap Zarír ER IST the world. HEROS OF ZÁBUL daughter of Kai-káús Ardshír female male Kai-káús Lohurásp Failakús adoption the daughter of Kaid of Ind Shydasp 120 years Nahíd 180 years Bahman Gushtásp Bashútan Sikander 8 years Dáráb Dárá Kitabún Húmaí 34 years Roshung Alternative English spelling for the kings and other major characters Isfendiyár 32 years Afrásiyáb Afrasiab Jemshíd Jamshid Nauder Nowzar Avir Betrayed and Ferangís Farangis Kai-káús Kay Kāvus Rustem Rostam Abandoned by assassinated by Feridún Fereydun Kai-khosráu Kai Khosrow Saiáwush Siyâvash Holy warrior, conquered the Brazen Núsháhder power hungry his ministers Gushtásp Vishtaspa Kaiúmers Keyumars Tahúmers Tahmuras mother in basket Húmaí Homai Kavah Kaveh Zau Zaav Fortress; killed in duel by Rustem Húsheng Hushang Lohurásp Lohrasp Zohák Zahhak who had to resort to magic Mihrbús in a river Isfendiyár Esfandiyār Minúchihr Manuchehr Alexander “the Great” of Macedon Sources: Firdusi (J. Atkinson), “The Sháh Námeh” in “Persian Literature, Volume 1” © 2013 Mikael Onsjö published by The Project Gutenberg, online 2013..