Gúdarz

Also known as: Gúdárz · Family: Irán · Role: warrior · First appears: The Seven Labors of Rustem · Part 3

At Mázinderán, Gúdarz was among the warriors delighted when Rustem rejoined the captive Kai-káús and his companions. Later, after hearing of the king’s plight, he set out with Rustem and Tús to help him; in the wilderness he rebuked Kai-káús, who acknowledged his folly and repented. During the invasion in the Story of Sohráb, he stood among the chiefs summoned by Kai-káús to consider the defence of the kingdom.

In the Story of Saiáwush, Gúdarz dreamed that Kai-khosráu revealed his whereabouts and that Gíw would restore him. He sent Gíw, his son, to find the young prince. Later, angered by Tús’s resistance to the king’s will, he took twelve thousand men, his kinsmen, and Gíw to oppose him by force. At Sístán, their quarrel flared again: Tús drew his dagger against Gúdarz, but Rehám prevented bloodshed. At Rustem’s request, Gúdarz went after Tús to bring him back to the feast; in the Story of Súsen and Afrásiyáb, he was later captured and treated as Tús had been.

Under Kai-khosráu, Gúdarz commanded an expedition against Afrásiyáb and fought alongside Tús against Pírán’s forces. When three of his sons were in danger, he appealed to Rustem, who rescued them. Kai-khosráu later appointed Gúdarz chief minister. Though Gúdarz continued with Gíw and Tús after the king took leave of them, he turned back about halfway along the road.