Shahnameh - The Book of Kings (Synopsis, Part V)

Rustem

Rudabeh had issues with pregnancy, so Zal burned the feather (see Simurgh, previous posting) and called the nifty giant bird to him to help nurse his new son.

Rustem – son of Rudabeh and Zal, nursed by Simurgh. Name translates as delivered, because Rudabeh was delivered of her pains.

Saum (father of Zal, see previous postings) comes to visit and is so astonished by his son’s greatness that he stays a month. Rustem beats to death an elephant that had gone nuts, and was proclaimed a hero. They’re living in Zaboulistan now, in Zal’s house. It seems he’s no longer filling in for Daddy.

Nauder – may be same as Nuder in previous posts. Son of Minuchihr. Was counseled by father before he died to be wise and follow the example of Saum and Zal, but he forgot and turned to cruelty. Saum was asked to deposed him and refused, but did go to him and ask that he turn from evil. Nauder listened. Problem was, word spread of Minuchihr’s death and Poshang, a descendant of Tur, was happy and decided to revenge his father.

Poshang – descendant of Tur, declared war on Iran once Minuchihr was dead, but sent his son Afrasiyab to do it for him. Nice guy.

Afrasiyab – son of Poshang. Went to war for Daddy.

Word spreads that Saum’s dead, too. Zal is busy building a tomb. Unfortunately, this encouraged Afrasiyab and his followers. Nauder falls to the Turan army with the Iranian army, and gets his head chopped off. Afrasiyab takes over, but no one really listens. The people send messengers to Seistan (where Zal is back to?) and Zal tells them to put Zew on the throne of Kaianides.

Zew – son of Thamasp, of the blood of Feridoun, of wisdom in speech. Placed into power (throne of the Kaianides) by Zal. Took back land from Afrasiyab and demanded a peace treaty (and got it – the “Jihun,” whoever they are, divided the lands).

Garshasp – Zew’s son. Took over when Zew died, but he didn’t live long either.

Afrasiyab comes back, and he’s just as feared by the people again. Zal’s still alive, so they asked him what to do with the throne of Kianides again....but also blamed him for not predicting it. He tells them to look to Rustem, who is still young but enjoys war rather than “pleasures” and requests a “steed of strength and the mace of Suam” before he goes to fight. Afrasiyab, by the way, is seen as evil – Rustem talks of meeting “the hosts of Ahriman.”

Rustem, however, has so much valor that he’s way too heavy for most horses (sarcasm). A mare from Cabul is finally found with a colt. Chest and shoulders of lion, strength of elephant, color of rose leaves that have been scattered on saffron. Rustem lassoes it but the mare defends. Keeper comes by and tells him to pick another than the one called “Rakush of Rustem,” because the mare will never permit her colt to be ridden. Except she does, and he gets the horse for free because he’s Rustem and is supposed to “retrieve the sorrows of Iran.”

Rakush means lightning, and off they go to war with a bunch of other people. Sounds like day of judgment. Afrasiyab’s not intimidated – boy is young, father is old. And right when they’re about to get into it, Zal tells his son to go to Mount Alberz and get a descendent of Feridoun for the throne of Kaianides.

Kai Kobad – new shah. Rules for 100 years. Has a son, Kai Kaous. Is crowned right before battle and is retrieved from Mount Alberz by Rustem.

Rustem gets there, is offered wine by a bunch of knights who just happen to be lounging in this great paradise-like garden, and is asked to tell his mission. He does, and is told of Kai Kobad by a random youth who turns out to be Kai Kobad, and there is much bowing and prostration. New king, yay, all hail the Shah, may he live forever.

Kai Kobad comes back with Rustem and they sneak past the enemy’s outposts, and only the Mubids and Zal know he has been brought back until eight days later when they crown him.

Now the battle finally gets on, and the Iranians win over the Turans. Rustem does well, and is called Tehemten (the strong-limbed) for his actions. Afrasiyab flees while the Iranians feast and enjoy their new king. Afrasiyab goes and whines to Daddy about how bad it was to start this war and how great Rustem is. Poshang writes a letter to Kai Kobad blaming Afrasiyab for the war (“followed in the footsteps of Tur his father”, except he’s nto his father, Poshang is), and life is well.