The Tragedy of Sohrab and Rostam

A Duel To The Death!!

 

The Tragedy of Sohrab and Rostam is a beloved legend from the mythology of Zoroastrian, popularized by the 11^th century Persian poet Abolqasem Ferdowsi, in his great epic Shahnameh.  The story is about a powerful Persian hero warrior; name Rostam, who is unaware that he has a son by Princess Tahmine.  The beautiful daughter of the King of Turan was infatuated with Rostam from the moment she saw him.  Princess Tahmine is captivated by Rostam and becomes his lover.  Rostam leaves the princess and becomes oblivious concerning her pregnancy of their son Sohrab.  Sohrab becomes a champion warrior who has inherited his father’s strength and his mothers’ beauty and intelligence.  Sohrab becomes suspicious of his father’s identity, yet after years without true knowledge of each other, Rostam and Sohrab face each other in battle.  The battle is between the Persian and the Turan armies.  Rostam is the sworn loyal protector of Persia, he is their victor and Sohrab is the fierce leader of the Turan armies.  Rostam and Sohrab fight each other in battle and Rostam wrestles Sohrab to the ground.  This duel to the death ends with Sohrab lowering his shield, exposing himself to Rostam’s spear, which pierces his side.   Sohrab recalls his love for his father, as he lay dying at the hand of his own father.  Sohrab reveals his family insignia on his arm.  The tragic story ends in Rostam now realizing that he has killed his own son and now in grief and despair, desires his own death.  This is the tragic episode of the Shahname.  The Champion warrior has killed the person dearer to him than all others, his son.