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Sahba Shayani Profile picture
@SahbaShayani
Sep 28, 2020 • 8 tweets • 3 min read • Read on X
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This week we have Sudābeh—arguably the most notorious woman of the Shāhnāmeh! Sudābeh’s story has two parts. In the first she is cast in a very positive light, but in the second she is definitely the villain. So, buckle up & let’s go! Image
Sudābeh (Sudāveh) is the princess of Hāmāvarān. After winning 2 wars against the King of Hāmāvarān, the Iranian king Keykāvus hears of his nemesis’ beautiful daughter & asks for her hand. Her father is reluctant, but Sudābeh is down af so he agrees, & she & Kāvus get hitched. 💍 Image
The couple return to Iran in pomp & glory, but soon after the King of Hāmāvarān invites his now son-in-law back to Hāmāvarān for a partay. Sudābeh warns Kāvus that it’s a trap, but he’s an idiot & says that a man should never take advice from a woman. LOLZ #famouslastwords
Kāvus returns to Hāmāvarān and sure enough 3 days later his a** is in jail. The King of Hāmāvarān then sends his womenfolk to bring Sudābeh back home. She, however, will not have ANY of it & says she’d rather be imprisoned w/ the man she loves than to return home. Image
The King becomes angry & throws Sudābeh in prison too. There, she tends to Kāvus day & night. Soon Rostam (who else) comes to the rescue, defeats the King of Hāmāvarān, & triumphantly returns Kāvus & Sudābeh to Iran. Kāvus exalts Sudābeh’s station & vows his undying love to her. Image
Such a beautiful story of love and sacrifice, right? What could POSSIBLY go wrong???
Come back on Thursday to find out! 😉
Images:
1, 3, and 4: Hamid Rahmanian, Shahnameh: The Epic of the Persian Kings (this is a really beautiful work available for purchase online, if you’re interested)
2: Shahnama of Shah Tahmasp, Folio 130r, Metropolitan Museum

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More from @SahbaShayani

Sahba Shayani Profile picture
Aug 19, 2021
When you inhabit the world of legends and myths, you see the potential of the marginalized characters that men of power fear and subdue. Today (and every day), I think of Rudāba (رودابه), Princess of Kabolestān (Kabul), daughter of the wise queen Sindokht and the life-source of Image
our legends’ greatest male hero, Rostam. I think of this valiant mythical yet not so unreal woman who fights for her independence and the right to choose her own future and, in triumphing over the male-enforced codes of conduct, achieves greatness and victory not only for herself
but for the entire land of Irānzamin. They say myths are just stories, but I beg to differ. The stories of women like Rudāba of Kabul or Tahmina of Samangān show us the power and strength that lies inherent within our women and which so many fear and try to subdue.
Read 5 tweets
Sahba Shayani Profile picture
Oct 5, 2020
Our next woman of premodern Persian poetry is the bold, audacious, and kind-hearted Manizheh– منیژه –princess of Turān, whose colorful story showcases not only her agency and strength, but also her sweet sense of mischievousness and sacrificial nature.
After slaying the wild boars that have been plaguing the people of Armenia, the Iranian paladin Bizhan makes his way into Turān in the hopes of finding the beautiful Manizheh, daughter of the Turānian king Afrāsiyāb, and bringing her back to Iran w/ himself as a prize.
At the border of Iran & Turān, Bizhan spots a group of fairy-faced beauties who have pitched their tent among the lush terrain & are enjoying their outing with wine, music, & feasting. In their midst his gaze falls upon the beautiful Manizheh & falls hopelessly in love w/ her.
Read 21 tweets
Sahba Shayani Profile picture
Oct 1, 2020
And we’re back with Sue da Baeee! jk, it’s SUDĀBEH or SUDĀBA!! Never ‘ay,’ unless u want “a kotak moment” (jeez my jokes are old 🤪). Before we begin, though, please note the *TRIGGER WARNING* that this tale does include an accusation of assault, an abortion & graphic imagery. Image
SO, as it turns out, Kāvus has a very handsome, estranged son from another wife. His name is Siyāvosh & he has been raised by Rostam. Siyāvosh returns to the court as a young man and Kāvus is gladdened by his return. And trust you me, SO IS SUDĀBEH! So. Is. Sudābeh… 😬😈 ImageImage
Hoping to seduce Siyāvosh, Sudābeh convinces Kāvus to tell him to visit her quarters so that perhaps one of her daughters may catch his eye & they can marry (yes, I kno that’s incest). Siyāvosh is very hesitant & senses Sudābeh’s intentions, but complies so to appease his father.
Read 23 tweets
Sahba Shayani Profile picture
Sep 24, 2020
I’m back with another QUEEN (well, figuratively speaking). Our lady of the day is Gordāfarid -گُردآفرید- the warrior, who charges into the battlefield against Sohrāb and not only whoops his ass (well, kinda...), but also wins his heart (and then breaks it, lolz)!💔 Image
Sohrāb leads his army from Turān into Iran in an attempt to find his long-lost (more like deadbeat…but w/e) dad, Rostam, to overthrow the Iranian king, and to seat Rostam on the throne to unite Iran & Turān. However, he encounters resistance at the border.
There, at the White Citadel, he is met by Iranian warriors whom he defeats. The other Iranians who’ve taken shelter in the citadel are terrified by his victories. But Gordāfarid is just pissed that their men are so incompetent! So, she takes matters into her own hands: Image
Read 12 tweets
Sahba Shayani Profile picture
Sep 22, 2020
I’m back with another woman from the Shāhnāmeh! Today we have Tahmineh -تهمینه-, the badass princess of Samangān, who utilizes her sexual agency to GET. WHAT. SHE. WANTS! Image
One day, Rostam loses his horse, but tracks his footsteps to Samangān. There he asks the king for his steed, threatening to wreak havoc should he not find him! The king assures him that his horse will be found & invites him to spend the night with him feasting in Samangān.
That night, as a well wined-and-dined Rostam lays in his guest chamber, the door creaks open & a servant enters with a lit candle. Behind the servant comes the beautiful Tahmineh. Beholding her, Rostam is both awe-struck & confused and asks Tahmineh who she is & why she’s there. Image
Read 10 tweets
Sahba Shayani Profile picture
Sep 21, 2020
Ok, LET'S GO!
First up we have Rudābeh -رودابه-, princess of Kābolestān. She falls in love w/ the paladin Zāl through her father’s descriptions of the white-haired hero, and stops at NOTHING (chiding maidservants, an angry father, and a threatening king) to be w/ her beloved. Image
Fav scene: Rudābe’s mother Sindokht tells her to remove her makeup and jewelry, and to go running to her father in a pitiful state, to beg his forgiveness for having initiated a meeting with Zāl behind his back. Rudābeh’s response is basically, “LOL! No, no, hell no!”
Instead, she rocks up to her father’s court DECKED OUT and looking fly, unapologetic of her love for Zāl. Although her father is livid, even he is in awe of his daughter’s beauty.
Read 7 tweets

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