Kay Kawad
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/Shahnameh3-5.jpg/300px-Shahnameh3-5.jpg)
Kay Kawad (also known as Kay Qobad, Avestan š¬š¬š¬š¬š¬ š¬š¬š¬š¬š¬š¬š¬ Kauui KauuÄta) is a mythological figure of Iranian folklore and oral tradition. The 'Kay' stock epithet identifies Kawad as a Kayanian, a mythological dynasty that in tradition Kay Kawad was also the founder of. In the Shahnameh, the 'Kay' epithet is not always indicative of a king being of Kayanian origin. For instance, Kavad I, who was a Sassanid King, is frequently referred to as 'Kay QobÄd' (Ś©Ū ŁŲØŲ§ŲÆ) in the Story of Mazdak and Qubad.
In the tradition preserved in the Shahnameh, Kay Kawad was a descendant of Manuchehr, and lived in the Alborz mountains, and was brought to Estaxr (the capital) by Rustam. Under Nowzar, who loses the xvarÉnah for oppressing the Iranians, the PishdÄdi dynasty grows weak, and Iran falls to the Aniranian General Afrasiab, who kills Nowzar in battle. Kay Kawad then led the Iranian forces in battle and Afrasiab's army was routed after Rustam defeated and almost captured Afrasiab. For this feat and because he possesses the xvarÉnah he is elected king by the Iranians, and the descendants of NowzarāZou, Garshasp and Gasthamāpay him allegiance.
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, Nykƶping, Sweden, 1993. (ISBN 91-630-1959-0)
- Jalal KhÄleghi 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.
Preceded by Garshasp | Legendary Kings of the ShÄhnÄma 2441ā2541 (after Keyumars) | Succeeded by |
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Pishdadian | |
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Kayanian | |
Male characters |
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Female characters | |
Tazian |
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Turanian | |
Clans and families |
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![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/be/Qaran_Unhorses_Barman%2C_a_folio_from_the_Shahnameh_of_Shah_Tahmasp%2C_Tabriz%2C_about_1523_%E2%80%93_35._The_Sarikhani_Collection%2C_I.MS.4025.jpeg/80px-Qaran_Unhorses_Barman%2C_a_folio_from_the_Shahnameh_of_Shah_Tahmasp%2C_Tabriz%2C_about_1523_%E2%80%93_35._The_Sarikhani_Collection%2C_I.MS.4025.jpeg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/Shahnameh3-5.jpg/80px-Shahnameh3-5.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/99/Hajir_%28The_Shahnama_of_Shah_Tahmasp%29.png/80px-Hajir_%28The_Shahnama_of_Shah_Tahmasp%29.png)
and animals
- Akvan Div
- Kharvazan Div
- Arzhang Div
- Div-e Sepid
- Koulad-Ghandi
- Huma bird
- Simurgh
- Rakhsh
- Shabdiz
- Shabrang
- White Elephant
- Iran
- Turan
- Zabulistan
- Sistan
- Kabul
- Balkh
- Ctesiphon
- Estakhr
- Mazandaran
- Alborzkouh
- Mount Damavand
- Tammisha
- Kasa-Roud
- Other locations...
- Gonbadan Castle (Dez-i Gonbadan)
- Roein Castle (Dez-i Roein)
- Sepid Castle (Dezh-i Sepid
- Bahman Castle (Dezh-i Bahman)
- Alanan Castle (Dezh-i Alanan
- Gang Castle (Gang-Dez)
- Florence Shahnameh
- Great Mongol Shahnameh (or Demotte)
- Baysonghor Shahnameh
- Shahnameh of Shah Tahmasp
- Shahnameh of Rashida
- Windsor Shahnameh
- Davari Shahnameh
Category
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