Minúchihr

Family: Irán · Role: king · First appears: Mirtás-Tází, and his Son Zohák · Part 2

Minúchihr was born to Pishung and Irij’s daughter, whom Feridún had given in marriage to Pishung; he resembled Irij and Feridún. When he grew up, Feridún placed him on the throne and helped him raise an army. When Sílim and Túr came against Irán, Minúchihr defeated and killed Túr, besieged Sílim in a fort, and later slew him when he came out to meet his challenge. Kakú also died after Minúchihr knocked him from his saddle. The defeated forces united under Minúchihr, and he and Feridún celebrated the victory together.

As Feridún’s death approached, he entrusted Minúchihr to Sám and Narímán. After Feridún died, Minúchihr succeeded him and followed his great-grandfather’s laws and regulations. In the Dream of Sám, he welcomed Sám and Zál, sent his son Nauder to meet them, gave Zál gifts, and appointed Sám governor of Kábul, Zábul, and Ind. He later ordered Sám to invade the Demon provinces, and, in the Story of Rúdábeh, ordered him to destroy Kábul and kill Mihráb and his adherents; Sám pleaded against Minúchihr’s wrath by letter, sent with Zál.

Minúchihr ruled for one hundred and twenty years. As his death approached, he resigned the kingdom to Nauder and shortly afterwards died. In the Story of Mirtás-Tází, and his Son Zohák, he had to relinquish his claims against Gúreng after Gúreng’s daughter displayed valor.