Kai-káús

Also known as: Káús · Family: Irán · Role: king · First appears: Kai-kobád · Part 2

When Kai-kobád appointed his eldest son Kai-káús as successor, he charged him to follow integrity and justice. On ascending his father’s throne, Kai-káús resolved to lead an army into Mázinderán, rejecting Zál’s counsel and leaving Zál and Rustem to guard the kingdom while Mílad held the empire and treasury in trust. The expedition ended in disaster: Kai-káús and his soldiers were blinded and captured, and he sent Zál word of his plight, admitting he should have followed his advice. Rustem reached the captives and restored their sight with the White Demon’s blood; after the fighting, Kai-káús returned to Persia and sent Ferhád to seek Mázinderán’s submission.

After further campaigns, Kai-káús married Súdáveh, but was seized with his warriors and imprisoned. Rustem secured their release and reseated him on the throne. Later, when stranded in Chín after his eagle-borne throne fell, Kai-káús was found by Demons; Rustem, Gúdarz and Tús came to his aid. Rebuked by Gúdarz, he acknowledged his folly, shut himself away for forty days in shame and repentance, then resumed governing.

In the Story of Sohráb, Kai-káús summoned his chiefs to plan a defence and called on Rustem for help. He first ordered Gíw to have Rustem impaled and condemned Gíw when he resisted, but relented and sent Gúdarz to ask for Rustem’s aid. Though Kai-káús and Rustem reconciled, he later refused Rustem the medicine that might save Sohráb. In the Story of Saiáwush, Kai-káús’s son Saiáwush passed through the ordeal of fire unharmed; the king recognized his innocence, spared Súdáveh after considering her punishment, and later sent Saiáwush on campaign. When Kai-khosráu arrived, Kai-káús welcomed him, seated him beside himself, and announced him as successor; after the coronation, he handed Kai-khosráu the imperial army for a campaign against Afrásiyáb.