Siyâvash
Encyclopedia
Siavash or Siyāvush, from Avestan
Syāvaršan, is a major figure in Ferdowsi
's epic, the Shahnameh
. He was a legendary Persian
prince from the earliest days of the Persian Empire. He was a son of Kay Kāvus, then Shah
of Iran, and due to the treason of his stepmother, Sudabeh
(with whom he refused to have sex and betray his father), exiled himself to Turan
where he was killed innocently by order of The Turanian king Afrasiab
. He was later avenged by his son Kai Khosrow
. He is a symbol of innocence in Persian Literature
. His name literally means "the one with the black horse" or just "black stallion". Ferdowsi in Shahnameh dubs his horse as Shabrang Behzād literally meaning "night-colored purebred".
took him to Zabul. When a lad of twelve, Rostam
instructed him in riding, archery and the use of lasso. Other teachers taught him to hold his court, his feasts, and to rule the kingdom. When Siâvash was young, he felt anxious to pay a visit to his father Kay Kāvus, and Rostam accompanied his pupil to the royal court.
Siâvash had fulfilled Kay Kāvus expectations and was received warmly. In Kay Kāvus's house Siâvash fared well, seeing that he prospered in all what he did, his father appointed him a ruler of Tisfun. But one of his father's wives, Sudabeh
daughter of Hamavaranshah conceived a passion for him. Sudabeh went to the Shah and praising the character of his son, proposed that he should marry one of the damsels of royal linage under her care. She requested that Siavash might be sent to the harem, to see all the ladies and choose any of them as his lawful wife. The Shah approved of the proposal, and intimated it to Siâvash, but Siâvash being "modest and bashful" suspected in this overture some artifice of Sudabeh and hesitated. By the Shah's command, Siâvash finally entered the harem
. In his first visit, Siâvash did not pay attention to Sudabeh and went straightly to other damsels, who placed him on a golden chair and talked to him for some time.
Kay Kāvus repeated to him his wish that he would at once choose a woman of the harem for his wife, but Siâvash excused himself from going again to the harem. Sudabeh sent Hirbad to tell Siâvash that she was even ready to kill her husband so that he might marry her lawfully, but Siâvash denied his request. Her repeated advances being repulsed, she finally attempted compulsion; still failing, she brought a false accusation against him before her husband.
The Shah, on hearing that Siâvash had preferred his wife, thought that death alone could expiate his crime. He first smelt the hands of Siâvash, which had the scent of rose water ; and then he took the garments of Sudabeh, which, on the contrary, had a strong flavour of wine. Upon this discovery, the king resolved on the death of Sudabeh, being convinced of The falsehood of the accusation she had made against his son.
At length he resolved to ascertain the innocence of Siâvash by the ordeal of fire; and Siâvash prepared to undergo the terrible trial to which he was sentenced, telling his father to be under no alarm. A fire was lighted and Siâvash, wearing a helmet and a white robe, rushed among the fire on Siah, his black horse. When Siâvash returned safe from the ordeal, his innocence was proved. Kavus now determined to put Sudabeh to death, not only for her own guilt, but for exposing his son to such imminent danger.
Siâvash, however, interceded for her and Sudabeh was not executed.
threatened another invasion of Iran but was defeated. Suddenly intelligence was received that Afrasiab had assembled another army, for the purpose of making an irruption into Iran
; and Kavus, seeing that it Tartar could neither be bound by promise nor oath, resolved that he would on this occasion take the field himself, penetrate as far as Balkh
, and seizing the country, make an example of the inhabitants. But Siâvash requested to be employed, adding that, with the advice of Rostam, he would successful. The Shah referred the matter to Rostam, who candidly declared that there was no necessity whatever for his majesty proceeding personally to the war; and upon this assurance he threw open his treasury, and supplied all the resources of the empire to equip the troops appointed to accompany them.
After one month the army marched towards Balkh, the point of attack.
On the other side Garsivaz
, the ruler of Balghar
, joined the Tartar
legions at Balkh
, commanded by Barman, who both sallied forth to oppose the Persian host, and after a conflict of three days were defeated, and obliged to abandon the fort. When the accounts of this calamity reached Afrasiab, he had previously dreamed of a forest abounding with serpents, and that the air was darkened by the appearance of countless eagles.He referred to his astrologers, but they hesitated, and were unwilling to afford an explanation of the vision. Finally, a sage named Saqim concluded from the dream that he will be defeated within three days. Afrasiab, therefore deputed Garsivaz to the head quarters of Siâvash, with presents, consisting of horses, armour and swords and demanded peace.
In the meantime Siâvash was anxious to pursue the enemy across the Jihun. When Garsivaz arrived on his embassy he was received with distinction, and the object of his mission being understood, a secret council was held upon what answer should be given. It was then deemed proper to demand: first, one hundred distinguished heroes as hostages; and secondly, the restoration of all the provinces which the Turanians had taken from Iran.
Garsivaz sent immediately to Afrasiab to inform him of the conditions required, and without the least delay they were approved. A hundred warriors were soon on their way; and Bokhara, and Samarkand, and Haj, and the Punjab, were faithfully delivered over to Siâvash. Afrasiab himself retired towards Gungduz.
The negotiations being concluded, Siâvash sent a letter to his father by the hands of Rostam. Kavus disapproved of the terms and supersedes his son, Siâvash. On this account Kavus appointed Tus the leader of the Persian army, and commanded him to march against Afrasiab, ordering Siâvash at the were time to return, and bring with him his hundred hostages, At this command Siâvash was grievously offended, Siâvash consulted Zanga og Shavaran and he advised him to write a letter to Kavus, expressing his readiness to renew the war and kill the hostages. But Siavash thought he should keep his promise and so he decided to abandon Iran and go to the country of Afrasiab, Turan
.
, Afrasiab received Siâvash warmly. The old Turanian vizier, Piran Visah gave his daughter Jurairah to Siâvash in marriage. Afterwards, Siâvash married Farangis
daughter of Afrasiab
.The second marriage accordingly took place, and Afrasiyab was so pleased with the match that he bestowed on the bride and her husband the sovereignty of Khotan. In Khotan, Siavash built the city of Siavashgird and the Gang Castle. Both Piran Visah and Garsiwaz visited Siavash's city. Garsiwaz began to vilify before Afrasiab.
The news of Afrasiyab's warlike preparations satisfied the mind of Siâvash that Garsivaz had given him good advice. Siâvash and his followers, did not fight with the large army opposing them. All of Siâvash's men were killed and beheaded. Women were taken as slave girls and prisoners to Kiman.
In the meantime Afrasiab came up, and surrounding him, wanted to shoot Siâvash with an arrow, but he was restrained from the act. Siâvash himself was beheaded. His death is commemorated by some Persians, especially in Shiraz
, in the day called Siavashun.
Avestan language
Avestan is an East Iranian language known only from its use as the language of Zoroastrian scripture, i.e. the Avesta, from which it derives its name...
Syāvaršan, is a major figure in Ferdowsi
Ferdowsi
Ferdowsi was a highly revered Persian poet. He was the author of the Shahnameh, the national epic of Iran and related societies.The Shahnameh was originally composed by Ferdowsi for the princes of the Samanid dynasty, who were responsible for a revival of Persian cultural traditions after the...
's epic, the Shahnameh
Shahnameh
The Shahnameh or Shah-nama is a long epic poem written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi between c.977 and 1010 AD and is the national epic of Iran and related societies...
. He was a legendary Persian
Persian people
The Persian people are part of the Iranian peoples who speak the modern Persian language and closely akin Iranian dialects and languages. The origin of the ethnic Iranian/Persian peoples are traced to the Ancient Iranian peoples, who were part of the ancient Indo-Iranians and themselves part of...
prince from the earliest days of the Persian Empire. He was a son of Kay Kāvus, then Shah
Shah
Shāh is the title of the ruler of certain Southwest Asian and Central Asian countries, especially Persia , and derives from the Persian word shah, meaning "king".-History:...
of Iran, and due to the treason of his stepmother, Sudabeh
Sudabeh
Sudabeh is a character in Persian epic Shahnameh. She was princess of Hamavaran kingdom and later, she becomes the wife of Kay Kāvus, shah of Iran, and stepmother of prince Siyavash. She is most famous for her role in Siyavash choosing exile...
(with whom he refused to have sex and betray his father), exiled himself to Turan
Turan
Tūrān is the Persian name for Central Asia, literally meaning "the land of the Tur". As described below, the original Turanians are an Iranian tribe of the Avestan age. As a people the "Turanian" are one of the two Iranian peoples both descending from the Persian Fereydun but with different...
where he was killed innocently by order of The Turanian king Afrasiab
Afrasiab
Afrasiab is the name of the mythical king and hero of Turan.-The Mythical King and Hero:According to the Shahnameh , by the Persian epic poet Ferdowsi, Afrasiab was the king and hero of Turan and an archenemy of Iran...
. He was later avenged by his son Kai Khosrow
Kai Khosrow
Kai Khosrow is a legendary king of the Kayanian dynasty and a character in the Persian epic book, Shahnameh. He was the son of the Iranian prince Siavash who married princess Farangis of Turan while in exile. Before Kai Khosrow was born, his father was murdered in Turan by his maternal grandfather...
. He is a symbol of innocence in Persian Literature
Persian literature
Persian literature spans two-and-a-half millennia, though much of the pre-Islamic material has been lost. Its sources have been within historical Persia including present-day Iran as well as regions of Central Asia where the Persian language has historically been the national language...
. His name literally means "the one with the black horse" or just "black stallion". Ferdowsi in Shahnameh dubs his horse as Shabrang Behzād literally meaning "night-colored purebred".
Early life
As soon as Siâvash was born, RostamRostam
Rostam is the national hero of Greater Iran from Zabulistan in Persian mythology and son of Zal and Rudaba. In some ways, the position of Rostam in the historical tradition is parallel to that of Surena, the hero of the Carrhae. His figure was endowed with many features of the historical...
took him to Zabul. When a lad of twelve, Rostam
Rostam
Rostam is the national hero of Greater Iran from Zabulistan in Persian mythology and son of Zal and Rudaba. In some ways, the position of Rostam in the historical tradition is parallel to that of Surena, the hero of the Carrhae. His figure was endowed with many features of the historical...
instructed him in riding, archery and the use of lasso. Other teachers taught him to hold his court, his feasts, and to rule the kingdom. When Siâvash was young, he felt anxious to pay a visit to his father Kay Kāvus, and Rostam accompanied his pupil to the royal court.
Siâvash had fulfilled Kay Kāvus expectations and was received warmly. In Kay Kāvus's house Siâvash fared well, seeing that he prospered in all what he did, his father appointed him a ruler of Tisfun. But one of his father's wives, Sudabeh
Sudabeh
Sudabeh is a character in Persian epic Shahnameh. She was princess of Hamavaran kingdom and later, she becomes the wife of Kay Kāvus, shah of Iran, and stepmother of prince Siyavash. She is most famous for her role in Siyavash choosing exile...
daughter of Hamavaranshah conceived a passion for him. Sudabeh went to the Shah and praising the character of his son, proposed that he should marry one of the damsels of royal linage under her care. She requested that Siavash might be sent to the harem, to see all the ladies and choose any of them as his lawful wife. The Shah approved of the proposal, and intimated it to Siâvash, but Siâvash being "modest and bashful" suspected in this overture some artifice of Sudabeh and hesitated. By the Shah's command, Siâvash finally entered the harem
Harem
Harem refers to the sphere of women in what is usually a polygynous household and their enclosed quarters which are forbidden to men...
. In his first visit, Siâvash did not pay attention to Sudabeh and went straightly to other damsels, who placed him on a golden chair and talked to him for some time.
Kay Kāvus repeated to him his wish that he would at once choose a woman of the harem for his wife, but Siâvash excused himself from going again to the harem. Sudabeh sent Hirbad to tell Siâvash that she was even ready to kill her husband so that he might marry her lawfully, but Siâvash denied his request. Her repeated advances being repulsed, she finally attempted compulsion; still failing, she brought a false accusation against him before her husband.
The Shah, on hearing that Siâvash had preferred his wife, thought that death alone could expiate his crime. He first smelt the hands of Siâvash, which had the scent of rose water ; and then he took the garments of Sudabeh, which, on the contrary, had a strong flavour of wine. Upon this discovery, the king resolved on the death of Sudabeh, being convinced of The falsehood of the accusation she had made against his son.
At length he resolved to ascertain the innocence of Siâvash by the ordeal of fire; and Siâvash prepared to undergo the terrible trial to which he was sentenced, telling his father to be under no alarm. A fire was lighted and Siâvash, wearing a helmet and a white robe, rushed among the fire on Siah, his black horse. When Siâvash returned safe from the ordeal, his innocence was proved. Kavus now determined to put Sudabeh to death, not only for her own guilt, but for exposing his son to such imminent danger.
Siâvash, however, interceded for her and Sudabeh was not executed.
Siâvash and Afrasiab
AfrasiabAfrasiab
Afrasiab is the name of the mythical king and hero of Turan.-The Mythical King and Hero:According to the Shahnameh , by the Persian epic poet Ferdowsi, Afrasiab was the king and hero of Turan and an archenemy of Iran...
threatened another invasion of Iran but was defeated. Suddenly intelligence was received that Afrasiab had assembled another army, for the purpose of making an irruption into Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
; and Kavus, seeing that it Tartar could neither be bound by promise nor oath, resolved that he would on this occasion take the field himself, penetrate as far as Balkh
Balkh
Balkh , was an ancient city and centre of Zoroastrianism in what is now northern Afghanistan. Today it is a small town in the province of Balkh, about 20 kilometers northwest of the provincial capital, Mazar-e Sharif, and some south of the Amu Darya. It was one of the major cities of Khorasan...
, and seizing the country, make an example of the inhabitants. But Siâvash requested to be employed, adding that, with the advice of Rostam, he would successful. The Shah referred the matter to Rostam, who candidly declared that there was no necessity whatever for his majesty proceeding personally to the war; and upon this assurance he threw open his treasury, and supplied all the resources of the empire to equip the troops appointed to accompany them.
After one month the army marched towards Balkh, the point of attack.
On the other side Garsivaz
Garsivaz
Garsivaz is a mythical Turanian character, referred to in Shahnameh by the Persian epic-poet Ferdowsi. He is the brother of Afrasiab, king of Turan.....
, the ruler of Balghar
Balghar
Balghar is a village in Ghanche, Northern Areas, Pakistan on the bank of Shyok River, The Shyok River meets Indus river at Keris about 30 kilometers west of Balghar.Balghar is a beautiful village. The Thallay stream divides Balghar in two parts...
, joined the Tartar
Tartar
Tartar may refer to: *An alternative spelling of the name Tatars, an ethnic group in present-day Russia.* Tartars, the name of the athletic teams from 1927–1999 at Wayne State University in Detroit.*Tartar sauce*Tartar on teeth, hardened dental plaque...
legions at Balkh
Balkh
Balkh , was an ancient city and centre of Zoroastrianism in what is now northern Afghanistan. Today it is a small town in the province of Balkh, about 20 kilometers northwest of the provincial capital, Mazar-e Sharif, and some south of the Amu Darya. It was one of the major cities of Khorasan...
, commanded by Barman, who both sallied forth to oppose the Persian host, and after a conflict of three days were defeated, and obliged to abandon the fort. When the accounts of this calamity reached Afrasiab, he had previously dreamed of a forest abounding with serpents, and that the air was darkened by the appearance of countless eagles.He referred to his astrologers, but they hesitated, and were unwilling to afford an explanation of the vision. Finally, a sage named Saqim concluded from the dream that he will be defeated within three days. Afrasiab, therefore deputed Garsivaz to the head quarters of Siâvash, with presents, consisting of horses, armour and swords and demanded peace.
In the meantime Siâvash was anxious to pursue the enemy across the Jihun. When Garsivaz arrived on his embassy he was received with distinction, and the object of his mission being understood, a secret council was held upon what answer should be given. It was then deemed proper to demand: first, one hundred distinguished heroes as hostages; and secondly, the restoration of all the provinces which the Turanians had taken from Iran.
Garsivaz sent immediately to Afrasiab to inform him of the conditions required, and without the least delay they were approved. A hundred warriors were soon on their way; and Bokhara, and Samarkand, and Haj, and the Punjab, were faithfully delivered over to Siâvash. Afrasiab himself retired towards Gungduz.
The negotiations being concluded, Siâvash sent a letter to his father by the hands of Rostam. Kavus disapproved of the terms and supersedes his son, Siâvash. On this account Kavus appointed Tus the leader of the Persian army, and commanded him to march against Afrasiab, ordering Siâvash at the were time to return, and bring with him his hundred hostages, At this command Siâvash was grievously offended, Siâvash consulted Zanga og Shavaran and he advised him to write a letter to Kavus, expressing his readiness to renew the war and kill the hostages. But Siavash thought he should keep his promise and so he decided to abandon Iran and go to the country of Afrasiab, Turan
Turan
Tūrān is the Persian name for Central Asia, literally meaning "the land of the Tur". As described below, the original Turanians are an Iranian tribe of the Avestan age. As a people the "Turanian" are one of the two Iranian peoples both descending from the Persian Fereydun but with different...
.
Siâvash in Turan
In TuranTuran
Tūrān is the Persian name for Central Asia, literally meaning "the land of the Tur". As described below, the original Turanians are an Iranian tribe of the Avestan age. As a people the "Turanian" are one of the two Iranian peoples both descending from the Persian Fereydun but with different...
, Afrasiab received Siâvash warmly. The old Turanian vizier, Piran Visah gave his daughter Jurairah to Siâvash in marriage. Afterwards, Siâvash married Farangis
Farangis
Farangis or Farigees is a female character in the Persian epic Shahnameh. She is the eldest daughter of Afrasiab, king of Turan. She is also the second and favourite wife of Siavash, the saintlike prince of Iran and mother of a legendary hero and later Shah of Iran, Kai Khosrow...
daughter of Afrasiab
Afrasiab
Afrasiab is the name of the mythical king and hero of Turan.-The Mythical King and Hero:According to the Shahnameh , by the Persian epic poet Ferdowsi, Afrasiab was the king and hero of Turan and an archenemy of Iran...
.The second marriage accordingly took place, and Afrasiyab was so pleased with the match that he bestowed on the bride and her husband the sovereignty of Khotan. In Khotan, Siavash built the city of Siavashgird and the Gang Castle. Both Piran Visah and Garsiwaz visited Siavash's city. Garsiwaz began to vilify before Afrasiab.
The news of Afrasiyab's warlike preparations satisfied the mind of Siâvash that Garsivaz had given him good advice. Siâvash and his followers, did not fight with the large army opposing them. All of Siâvash's men were killed and beheaded. Women were taken as slave girls and prisoners to Kiman.
In the meantime Afrasiab came up, and surrounding him, wanted to shoot Siâvash with an arrow, but he was restrained from the act. Siâvash himself was beheaded. His death is commemorated by some Persians, especially in Shiraz
Shiraz
Shiraz may refer to:* Shiraz, Iran, a city in Iran* Shiraz County, an administrative subdivision of Iran* Vosketap, Armenia, formerly called ShirazPeople:* Hovhannes Shiraz, Armenian poet* Ara Shiraz, Armenian sculptor...
, in the day called Siavashun.
Sources and references
- Abolqasem Ferdowsi, Dick Davis trans. (2006), Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings ISBN 0-670-03485-1, modern English translation (abridged), current standard
- Warner, Arthur and Edmond Warner, (translators) The Shahnama of Firdausi, 9 vols. (London: Keegan Paul, 1905-1925) (complete English verse translation)
- Shirzad Aghaee, Nam-e kasan va ja'i-ha dar Shahnama-ye Ferdousi(Personalities and Places in the Shahnama of Ferdousi, Nyköping, Sweden, 1993. (ISBN 91-630-1959-0)
- Jalal Khāleghi Motlagh, Editor, The Shahnameh, to be published in 8 volumes (ca. 500 pages each), consisting of six volumes of text and two volumes of explanatory notes. See: Center for Iranian Studies, Columbia University.