13 Facts About Rostam

Rostam or Rustam is a legendary hero in Persian mythology, the son of Zal and Rudaba, whose life and work was immortalized by the 10th-century Persian poet Ferdowsi in the Shahnameh, or Epic of Kings, which contains pre-Islamic Iranian folklore and history.

Rostam is best known for his tragic fight with Esfandiyar, the other legendary Iranian hero; for his expedition to Mazandaran ; and for tragically fighting and killing his son, Sohrab, without knowing who his opponent was.

Rostam was always represented as the mightiest of Iranian paladins, and the atmosphere of the episodes in which he features is strongly reminiscent of the Parthian Empire.

Rostam rode the legendary stallion Rakhsh and wore a special suit named Babr-e Bayan in battles.

Rostam is the champion of champions and is involved in numerous stories, constituting some of the most popular parts of the Shahnameh.

Rostam once demonstrated his skills to Emperor Manuchehr to seek his approval to marry his lover Rudaba.

In Persian mythology, Rudaba's labour in giving birth to Rostam was prolonged due to the extraordinary size of her baby - so much so that Zal, her lover and husband, felt sure that his wife would die in labour.

Rostam was brought up and trained by Zal in warfare.

Rostam's task was to conquer the fortress on the summit of Mt Sipand where his great grandfather, Nariman, once besieged it and was slain in the battle.

Rostam breached the fortress, defeated the enemy, ransacked its treasury and reported his success to his father, Zal and grandfather, Sam.

Rostam undertakes a heroic journey to save his sovereign, the over-confident Kay Kavus who is captured by the Divs of Mazandaran.

In Banu Goshasp Nama Rostam later had a daughter called Banu Goshasp, who had a full brother called Faramarz, and both became renowned heroes in Turan and India.

Rostam had a half brother called Shaghad, who was always jealous of him and provoked his death.