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 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

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.

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. 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… 😬😈

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! 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. 💍

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)!💔 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.

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! 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.

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. 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!”