29 Sep The Legendary Rostam – Hero of Shahnameh (The Book of Kings)
Rostam is the son of Zal and Rudabeh.
He is a legendary Persian hero whose epic warrior suit Babr-e Bayan made him invincible throughout his numerous glorious combats.
He is best known for his fight with Esfandiyar, the other legendary Persian hero whom Rostam kills. But perhaps his most tragic fight is the killing of his son Sohrab who he faces in battle and who’s identity he does not know.
As most epic warriors often are, Rostam is accompanied by his faithful and majestic horse, Rakhsh, who is by his side until the end, when they are both killed by Rostam’s jealous half brother Shaghad.
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Rostam’s Birth
From the very beginning, Ferdowsi makes the reader understand how important, strong and God-like this wonderful new character is. Below are some excerpts from his impressive Shahnameh (The Book of Kings).
The Simorgh (beautiful Persian mythical bird) said to a sad Zal, as Rudabeh was in pain and struggling before childbirth, “Why are you sad, why are the lion’s eyes wet with tears? A cub eager for fame will be born to you from this silver cypress”:
“He’ll Master all the beasts of earth and air,
He’ll terrify the dragon in its lair;
When such a voice rings out, the leopard gnaws
In anguished terror its unyielding claws;
Wild on the battlefield that voice will make
The hardened hearts of iron warriors quake;
Of cypress stature and of mammoth might,
Two miles will barley show his javelin’s flight.”
After his birth, the mighty Rostam was described as such:
“The child was like a lion, a noble son,
Tall and handsome, lovely to look upon;
And all who saw this mammoth baby gazed
In wonder at him, murmuring and amazed.”
When news got to his commanding grandfather Sam that Rostam seemed to be Sam himself, in his stature, appearance, opinions, and behavior, he rushed by Rostam’s side:
“My lion cub, incomparable child, may you live long and happily!”
Rostam kissed the throne and praised his grandfather in return:
“Live happily, my lord, the sturdy root
From which I, Rostam am the newest shoot.
I’m Sam’s devoted slave, and while I live
The pleasure feasting, sleep, and comfort give
Will not beguile me. Helmets, armor, bows
That I can draw against our country’s foes,
My saddle and my horse, my mace and sword,
These will be all my life, my noble lord.
My face resembles yours, and when I fight
May I resemble your in dauntless might.”
Excerpts from:
Ferdowsi, A. (2016). Shahnameh, The Persian Book of Kings, Translated by Dick Davis, Penguin Books, (pp.104-108).