Gushtásp

Family: Irán · Role: son of Lohurásp · First appears: Lohurásp · Part 1

Gushtásp, son of Lohurásp, first rebelled against his father and rode toward Hindústán with a hundred thousand horsemen. He agreed to return only if named heir and treated with respect, but fled again when Lohurásp showed he would not advance his claim. After reaching Rúm, he married Kitabún, daughter of its king; her father sanctioned the marriage but drove them from his house without money or a dowry. Gushtásp killed a wolf and a dragon, and when Kitabún revealed his deeds, her father honored him and made him commander of his army. Gushtásp defeated Alíás in single combat. Learning that Gushtásp was his son, Lohurásp welcomed him back to Irán, gave him the crown, and received the people’s allegiance to him.

Gushtásp and Kitabún had two sons, Isfendiyár and Bashútan. After returning from Rúm, he became a disciple of Zerdusht and adopted the fire-worshippers’ religion. When Arjásp threatened invasion over Gushtásp’s refusal to pay tribute, war followed; Gushtásp gave command of the army to Zarír rather than the young Isfendiyár. After Zarír died, Gushtásp buried him beneath a monument and promoted Zerdusht’s religion. He promised Isfendiyár the crown if he defeated the enemy, and later crowned him as successor. But after Gurzam accused the prince of plotting against him, Gushtásp had Isfendiyár chained in a mountain-fort prison.

After Arjásp and Kahram defeated Gushtásp, he sent Jamásp to ask Isfendiyár’s pardon and promise to restore his crown. He freed and apologized to his son, restored the throne to him, and appointed him commander of the imperial armies; Gurzam was executed for his counsel. Gushtásp then sent Isfendiyár with troops and treasure to conquer Arjásp’s kingdom, but delayed giving him Irán’s sovereignty. He promised the crown after Rustem was subdued and ordered Isfendiyár to bring him in bonds. After Isfendiyár died, Gushtásp accepted Rustem’s account and acquitted him, then appointed Bahman his successor. Old and infirm, Gushtásp bequeathed his empire to Bahman and died.