Hassan's favourite story from the Shahnameh was the tale of the archenemies Rostam and Sohrab. 102. Aking napagtanto na ang panitikan ng Persya o mas kilala ngayon na Iran ay pinapahalagan ng mabuti ang kanilang Kultura at kasaysayan dahil kung hindi, hindi makakagawa nang ganitong mga epiko kung walang pagababasihan o kung hindi ka inspirado. Ali and Baba grew up as playmates. Sohrab strikes Rustums Helm (helmet) with his sword. Once, following the traces of his lost horse, he enters the kingdom of Samangan where he becomes the guest of the king during the search for his horse. In the grayness of the early dawn, he leaves his bed and makes his solitary way through the black tents of the great encampment to the quarters of Peran-Wisa, commander of the Tartar army. Nicholas Sims-Williams has referred to the personal name Purlang-zin, spelt in Greek script, in a Bactrian document which was almost certainly written in the fourth century under Sasanian rule, claiming that this may be translated as the man with the panthers skin and that it represents a clear reference to the zn-i palang of Rustam. [] the first element of this name, is the Bactrian word for panther or leopard.[2]. Sohrab ironically praises Ruksh for having the privilege of spending more time with his father than his own son. Sohrab looks at the mighty figure and as he looks, a strange hope is born in his breast. Rostam The selected adventures of Persia's Hercules, from Iran's great national epic No understanding of world mythology is complete without acquaintance with Rostam, Iran's most celebrated mythological hero. One of the most famous figures in Persian legend is Rostam (the son of Zal and Rudabeh), whose story is also in the Shahnameh. Rudaba was indeed near death when Zl decided to summon the Simurgh, which duly appeared and instructed him upon how to perform a Rostamzad, a Caesarean section, thus saving both Rudaba and the child. BACKGROUND ON THE TEXT The Shahnameh is structured according to the mythical and historical reign of 50 Persian Kings. Baba, however, never calls Ali his . (2017). Apr 15, 2016. They were specialized for strength and power, NOT charging into battle. He also tells him that he pities his mother who in ader-baijan dwells who with her father, who grows grey with age, and rules over the valiant Kurds camp. Its not that hard to see with eyes that a horse is too long-backed for good strength. Additionally, Ive noticed before that when a great mass of people is brought together (usually an army) the descriptions say the ground grows black. By then, Sohrab has become known as the best fighter of Turan army. Meanwhile, the background of Sam, Nariman and Rostam Dastan families (as Hakim Ferdowsi shows us) is examined. All rights reserved. In Persian mythology, Rudaba's labour in giving birth to Rostam was prolonged due to the extraordinary size of her baby - so much so that Zl, her lover and husband, felt sure that his wife would die in labour. Popular story-tellers change the tryst between Rostam and Tahmina, who share a bed without being married, and with the girl taking the initiative . Mughal era manuscripts depicting Rostam's seven labours and other feats: The third feat of Rostam's seven labours: Rostam kills a dragon. The poem begins with the scene where the two powerful armies of the Tartars and the Persians are encamped along the banks of the Oxus River. THE SHAHNAMEH (Book of Kings) is the national epic of Iran composed by the poet Ferdowsi between 980 and 1010 AD. Echoes of these events are preserved in the legends of the Sistn cycle, partly incorporated in the Shahnameh, but once also surviving as independent epics, such as the Garspnma mentioned in the Trikh-e Sistn, and the Ketb al-Sakisarn cited by al-Masudi. However, the roots of the narrative date much earlier. Shahnameh Quotes Showing 1-21 of 21. Depiction of Rostam and Sohrab from the Windsor Shahnameh, 1648, signed by Mohammad Yusef the Painter. Rustam was always represented as the mightiest of Iranian paladins ( holy warriors ) and the atmosphere of the episodes in which he features is strongly reminiscent of the Parthian period. Finally, Sohrab makes his final wish to be carried to seitan and to be placed on a bed and mourned for him. Rostam is the most iconic figure in Ferdowsi's Shahnameh and consequently, the most important mythical one of Persian literature. He finds his best manifestation in epic heroes, and Rostam, among these epic heroes, must have all the necessary qualities in him. Rostam was impressed: Like saffron petals, mottled red and gold; An elephant in massive strength and might'. I actually read this section and the next one right after finishing the Turan/Iran war section because I was so filled with adrenalin and with all the what happens next! feels. Ang kanyang gawa ay kinikilala bilang ang pinakamahabang epikong isinulat ng iisang manunulat at pambansang epiko ng Iran (dating Persiya). Need to catch up! He did not wish that his people should know about his marriage for they expected him to marry a maiden of his own people. In the Shahnameh, Rostam is a native of Zabulistan, a historical region roughly corresponding to today's Zabul Province, southern Afghanistan. There are some similarities between the legends of Rostam and those pertaining to the great Irish hero C Chulainn. Man's urge and effort for a better life, for the path to the exaltation of victory and destruction and ugliness. A wretched, broken man whom all despise.". Synopsis: Rudabeh nearly dies giving birth, but with the help of a wizard and the great bird Simorgh, Rostam is born to great acclaim. Rostam's mother Rudaba, the princess of Kabul, was known for her peerless beauty, and Rostam's father was Zl. This paper is an attempt to offer an investigation on the influence of Firdausi, the 10th century poet, and his great work "The Shahnameh" on the West regarding the translations of this book . Join Tessa Gratton and me as we read the Shahnameh by Abolqasem Ferdowsi. With Tahmineh, princess of Samangan, Rostam had a son called Sohrab, who was killed accidentally by his father in the time of Kay Kavus. In Shahnameh, Rostam and his predecessors are Marzbans of Sistan (present-day Iran and Afghanistan). Defying all expectations, Rostan was able to catch and mount the horse. 80] . This man is the embodiment of the thoughts and aspirations of our predecessors. It tells the tragic story of the heroes Rostam and his son, Sohrab. nimble with thy feet, not with thy hands! Artmag.ir Copyright. She protected her foal for his destiny . Till now both the warriors have no idea that they are related to each other. He is a man with flesh and blood and bones, with human weaknesses and abilities, he does not even have a body. He hopes that his fame as a fighter will thereby reach the ears of his father. BUT not only did she survive, she named him, and named him after her own trial with death. His life-long endeavour, dedication and personal sacrifices to preserve the national identity, language and heritage of his homeland put him in great hardship . Sohrab is the youthful champion of the Tartars. Missed this reading entirely. He admits that he is older than his opponent. Rostam's task was to conquer the fortress on the summit of Mt Sipand where his great grandfather, Nariman, once besieged it and was slain in the battle. This is a limited print run and will sell out fast! He was a son of Kay Kvus, then Shah of Iran, and due to the treason of his stepmother, Sudabeh (with whom he refused to have sex and betray his father), self-exiled himself to Turan where he was killed innocently by order of The . This line is everything. This horse was almost impossible to catch - for three years warriors had attempted to tame it and had failed. Because Kavous is caught in Mazandaran, Zal sends Rostam to rescue him and tells him that there are two ways to get there, one is a long and safe way and the other is a short and dangerous way. to accept one fate is to accept all fate. Amazing! He undergoes a trial by fire to prove his innocence, and goes on to battle successfully against Iran's rival, Turan, concluding a truce with the Turanian king, Afrasyab, on amicable terms. Depiction of Rostam and Sohrab from the Windsor Shahnameh, 1648, signed by Mohammad Yusef the Painter. Similar approach is observed in the romantic relationship of Sudabeh to Siavash, Golnar to Ardeshir, and Arezo to BahramGur (Yusufi, 1977, p. 1-15). Nagkaroon ng away sa pagitan ng Persia at Turan. Science Teacher and Lover of Essays. Rustum tells this because he feels pity for the youth-hood of Sohrab. In the Shahnameh, Rostam and his predecessors are Marzbans of Sistan (present-day Iran and Afghanistan). The mightiest warrior and considered by many the true focus of the 10th c. Persian text The Shahnameh, Rostam's feats are the Islamic literary . But lets talk about the doll baby for a moment: in any modern Western narrative that would be the beginning of a story in which the doll becomes Rostams ultimate weakness, or evil doppelganger possessed by the devil or something. He was busy on the battlefield and could not come to see her. His father Zal promised to find a horse worthy of him - one that would be courageous in the midst of battle. Kung manganganak nang babae is Tahmina, kukunin niya ang alahas at ilalagay ito sa buhok niya. Rostam was unaware that he had a son, Sohrab, by Princess Tahmina. He embraces Sohrab and kisses him. The reader of Ferdowsi's poetry feels completely close to its characters. Not a portrait, an engraving, or needle work but a silk doll. Part of me hopes thats where its going (and that the doll baby will, in fact, return at all) but part of me thinks its just one more fascinating detail dropped in as part of the story, only there to highlight how great Rostam is and will be. Chapter 4 opens with the back story of Ali, who was orphaned and welcomed into the home of Amir's grandfather, a respected judge. Pingback: The Tale of Zal and Rudabeh (Shahnameh Reading Project 7) | I Make Up Worlds, Pingback: The Beginning of the War Between Iran and Turan (Shahnameh Reading Project 9) | I Make Up Worlds, Pingback: The Shahnamah Reading Project 2016, with Tessa Gratton & Kate Elliott | I Make Up Worlds, Pingback: The Tale of Sohrab (Shahnameh Readalong 15) | I Make Up Worlds. Zahakk grew snakes out his shoulders and feasted on the brains of human beings to survive, until he was killed by Shah Feraydun (Shahnameh, 25). TG: This was a nice, short episode to dig into, and I was most struck at what an important role the mare had. Oh, one last thing. "Rostam Kills a Dragon". In the Shahnameh, Rostam and his predecessors are Marzbans of . Translated by: Helen Zimmern. He once demonstrated his skills to Emperor Manuchehr to seek his approval to marry his lover Rudaba. I loved the inclusion of the c-section and getting advice from Zals foster mom. Around the same time, two young men who are driving while drunk and high hit and kill Ali 's parents. These related the deeds of the hero Garshasp and his descendants, Narimn, Sm, Zl or Dastn, and above all of the latter's son Rostam. 289429823 Inferno,Shahnameh..docx. When Rustum would still not believe that Sohrab was his son, Sohrab then gives him proof. So while a troop of guardsman using all stallions wouldnt be doing it to show off horseman skills, they might be doing it to show off power? Synopsis:Rostram chooses a horse that was foretold to be his. Matapos ang siyam na buwan, nanganak si Tahmina nang isang lalaki at pinangalanan itong Sohrab. But Rustum says that the king himself should choose some young men to meet up to the challenge put by Sohrab. He also has spontaneous wisdom. But young as he is, Sohrab is not ready to listen to him. He tells him of his fame as proof that he himself is Rustum. It tells the story of ancient Persia, beginning in the mythic time of Creation and continuing forward to the Arab-Islamic invasion in the seventh century. So, coming back to our reading obviously the Persians were fine with stallions but hasnt it also been mentioned that they have Turkish and Arab horses? This is why I read. He gives Rustum the shock of his life when he ironically tells that his father Rustum will avenge his death. Sohrab takes a few steps behind and then falls to the ground for the last time. The following morning, both the armies come out from their camp. 2015 -2022. And why on earth would Sam and Zal laugh at Mehrab, when we all know that laughing at someone usually just really pisses them off? lol. After this, Rustum makes his way towards the arena. According to the Shahnameh (the tenth-century Book of Kings), this titan, magnificent in strength and courage, bestrode Persia for 500 years. Its only after the build up of episodes, after the disasters of the war with Turan and the lack of a king, that it hits with all the power and majesty that I want from a story. Shahnameh (The Epic of Kings) By: Hakim Abol Qasem Ferdowsi Tousi Translated by: Helen Zimmern . The Second character I chose was Rama to join me in the retrieval of the book. Popular story-tellers change the tryst between Rostam and Tahmina, who share a bed without being married, and with the girl taking the initiative .