Shahnameh Names and Characters

Rostam: (Books 1, 2 & 3) Powerful Persian hero warrior of the Shahnameh, is the sworn loyal protector (Pahlavan/Daleer) of Persia (Iran), a mythical place of beauty and adventure. Son of Zal and Roudabeh, father of Sohrab.

Raqsh: (Books 1, 2 & 3) Rostam’s strong and loyal horse who will never leave his side. He can only be ridden by Rostam, the only man strong enough to tame him. He is the most powerful and beautiful horse in all the land.

Zal: (Books 1, 2 & 3) Mythical hero-warrior of Iran. Born an albino and abandoned as an infant by his father, Zal was raised by a phoenix (Simurgh) to be a great Pahlevan. Son of Saum, husband of Roudabeh and father of Rostam.

Afrasiab: (Books 1, 2 & 3) Devious & opportunistic wizard who is a key adviser to Kai- Kavous. Afrasiab almost took the throne when there was once no king, but his fear of Rostam and Zal prevented him. He has regretted this decision ever since.

Kai-Kavous: (Books 1, 2 & 3) Son of Kai-Kobad, who was placed on the throne by Zal and Rostam after the death of the old Kai. Paranoid and at times cruel, he is afraid of Rostam’s power, questions his loyalty and is often influenced by others.

Lord of Barbarestan: (Book 2) Resentful leader of Barbarestan a remote satrapy or Minor Kingdom, within the greater Persian Empire. Fiercely proud and independent, he is always looking for an opportunity to rebel.

White Deev: (Book 3) AKA Deeveh Sefeed – master of darkness, creator of chaos and the advocate of evil against good. Possessing many strengths, he has an insatiable appetite for power and revenge. Afrasiab’s master and Rostam’s constant and ultimate nemesis.

Tahmineh: (Book 1) Beautiful daughter of the King of Turan. Smitten with Rostam from the first time she laid eyes on him, she becomes his lover and unbeknown to him, the mother of his son – The great Turanian warrior, Sohrab.

Sohrab: (Books 1 & 3) Champion warrior son of Rostam and Tahmineh. A natural born leader, he inherited his father’s strength and his mothers' intelligence & good looks. As a teenager, Sohrab could beat any man in Turan & was soon leading the Turanian army.

Turaj: (Book 2) The assassin, a fierce and unbeaten warrior from unknown lands with a long list of victims in his wake. Hired by Afrasiab to terminate Rostam. Turaj will test his strength against Rostam and his legend.

The King of Hamavaran: (Book 2) Tucked away in the hidden valleys of the steep mountainous North Eastern mountains, Hamavaran is a lesser kingdom or satrapy within greater Iran. The King of Hamavaran is the adoring father of the beautiful Soodabeh.

Soodabeh: (Books 2 & 3) The daughter of the King of Hamavaran, Soodabeh is as smart and wise as she is beautiful. Certainly the right kind of woman to sit at the side of the King of Iran! Fiercely jealous of all who come into contact with the Kai, and a force to be reckoned with.

Siavash: (Book 3) The young gallant prince, son of Kai Kavous and a maiden of the court. A great warrior and heir to the throne of Iran. Kind and well loved by all, he is perceived as a threat to the plans of Soodabeh and Afrasiab, who ultimately plan his downfall.

Red Deev: (Book 3) Commissioned by the great White Deev (Deev-eh Sefeed) to kill Rostam, he is the meanest opponent Rostam has ever faced. The Red Deev seeks out and ultimately finds Rostam - where they "battle to the death."

Princess Gurdafarid: (Book 1) Daughter of the King of the White Castle – Gazdaham, Brave trained warrior who does not get respect she deserves for her battle skills, because she is a woman. She tests Sohrab's skills while bravely defending her father's castle.

Zombie Army: (Book 3) Summoned into action by the White Deev in his relentless quest to take over the throne by defeating Iran's protector. Fierce warriors who put up a good fight, they are however, no match to our Hero Rostam.

Green Dragon: (Book 3) Appearing in a dream sequence while Rostam is in a deep depression over the death of his son, the Dragon is a character from one of the seven trials (Haft Khan) that Rostam must overcome during his youth.

King of Turan: (Book 1) Proud father of Tahmineh, and strong ruler of Turan. Helps Rostam recover his horse raqsh after he was stolen. Fiercely independent minded king of a land that is constantly battling with Iran.

Da-ee Jan: (Book 1) Sohrab’s Uncle and Tahmineh’s Loyal and protective older brother.