Bahman

Family: Irán · Role: son of Isfendiyár · First appears: Gushtásp, and the Faith of Zerdusht · Part 3

In the Story of Gushtásp, and the Faith of Zerdusht, Isfendiyár appointed Bahman, his eldest son, to fill his place in the army. When he heard that his father had been imprisoned, Bahman abandoned his trust, dismissed the army, and went to Balkh, where he joined his brothers Mihrbús, Avir, and Núsháhder.

In the Story of the Death of Isfendiyár, Isfendiyár entrusted Bahman to Rustem’s care. Rustem took him to Sístán and instructed him in government and the arts of a warrior. After Gushtásp summoned Bahman from Sístán, he appointed him heir to the throne; when Gushtásp later died, he bequeathed his empire to Bahman.

At the beginning of his sovereignty, Bahman won his people’s approval through clemency, but soon set out to avenge Isfendiyár on Rustem’s family. In the Story of Bahman, he invaded Sístán, plundered Zál’s house and put Zál in fetters. His forces defeated Ferámurz, whom Bahman ordered hanged. He later released Zál, restored Sístán to him, and gave up his revenge before returning to Persia.

Bahman died in the eighth year of his reign after being bitten by a venomous snake. He had a son, Sassán, but did not name him successor: he gave the crown and throne to his wife, Húmaí, declaring, “If Húmaí should have a son, that son shall be my successor; but if a daughter, Húmaí continue to reign.” In the Story of Húmai and the Birth of Dáráb, Rishnawád recognized Dáráb as Bahman’s son and gave him a high command in the army; Húmaí later recognized Dáráb as her son.