Gíw

Family: Irán · Role: warrior · First appears: Kai-káús · Part 1

At Mázinderán, Kai-káús ordered Gíw to take two thousand men toward the city; on the way, Gíw burned and destroyed property and killed men, women, and children, as instructed. When Rustem reached the city and reunited with the captive king and his companions, Gíw was among those delighted to meet him. In the Story of Sohráb, as the son of Gúdarz, Gíw carried Kai-káús’s appeal for help to Rustem at Zábul. He resisted the king’s order to have Rustem impaled, and was condemned with him; that night he heard Rustem’s secret tale.

At the banks of the Jihún, Gíw and Tús quarrelled over a damsel and agreed to let the king decide between them. Later, at Gúdarz’s request, he sought the young Kai-khosráu, recognized him as Saiáwush’s son, and carried him away on horseback. Gíw accompanied Kai-khosráu and Ferangís toward Irán, securing Behzád and another horse for their journey. He routed Kulbád’s horsemen and captured Pírán, whom Kai-khosráu later freed after arranging a way for Gíw to keep his oath. Gíw and the others crossed the Jihún safely, and he sent word to Kai-káús of their arrival in Persian territory.

Gíw fought in later campaigns alongside his son Byzun and was captured with him and Rehám by Púladwund; Rustem came to their aid. In the Story of Byzun and Maníjeh, Gíw beat Girgín for deceiving him about Byzun’s disappearance, then carried Kai-khosráu’s invitation to Rustem. Kai-khosráu later appointed Gíw chief commander of the armies. Though Gíw continued with the king after taking leave of him, he was among the companions overwhelmed by snow and killed while asleep.