Byzun

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

In the Story of Kai-khosráu, Byzun, the son of Gíw, was wounded by Ferúd’s stones and forced to leave the fort. Later, Púladwund captured and wounded him alongside Gíw and Rehám, but Rustem answered Gúdarz’s appeal and freed the three. Byzun fought beside Gíw and carried the imperial banner to Gúdarz when the battle went badly.

In the Story of Byzun and Maníjeh, Kai-khosráu permitted Byzun to hunt boars with Girgín. After Byzun killed many and freed the country from their devastation, Girgín grew envious and plotted to get him out of the way. He led Byzun to Maníjeh’s retreat; she fell in love with him, and, when Byzun asked to be introduced, consented to his suit. At Túrán, she drugged him and had him taken secretly to Afrásiyáb’s palace. Afrásiyáb sent Gersíwaz to seize and kill Byzun, but after Byzun promised not to resist, Gersíwaz brought him before the king. Pírán-wísah stayed the execution, yet Afrásiyáb later ordered Byzun chained and suspended head-down in a pit. Byzun told Pírán-wísah of Girgín’s treachery, and a fissure allowed him and Maníjeh to hear each other while she sent him bread and water.

When Rustem found Byzun imprisoned in Karugsár, he sent him a seal-ring hidden in a roasted fowl, then freed him from the pit and removed his chains. Byzun refused to avoid the assault and joined Rustem at Afrásiyáb’s palace, where Afrásiyáb fled. In the Expedition of Gúdarz, Byzun later fought Húmán and killed him.