Epic Lore & Biography

Chieftain of the demons of Mazandaran slain by Rostam. Mentioned by Rostam as a benchmark of his mighty deeds which yet proved insufficient against Esfandiyar.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (40)

هُشیوار دیوانه خوانَد وُرا / همان خویش بیگانه دانَد وُرا

“The prudent will deem him mad, and even his own kin will treat him as a stranger.”

The Beginning • In Praise of Wisdom بیت #24

جهان شد بر آن دیو بچّه سیاه / ز بخت سیامک و زان پایگاه

“The world turned dark to that demon-child out of envy for Siamak’s rank and supreme fortune.”

Kyumars • The Dawn of Kingship: The Reign of Kyumars and the Fall of Siamak بیت #249

سخن چون به گوش سیامک رسید / ز کردار بدخواه دیو پلید

“When word of the treacherous demon's deeds reached the ears of prince Siamak—”

Kyumars • The Dawn of Kingship: The Reign of Kyumars and the Fall of Siamak بیت #255

پذیره شدش دیو را جنگجوی / سپه را چو روی اندر آمد به روی

“The warrior prince advanced to encounter the demon, as the two armies stood face to face.”

Kyumars • The Dawn of Kingship: The Reign of Kyumars and the Fall of Siamak بیت #258

بزد چنگ وارونه دیو سیاه / دوتا اندر آورد بالای شاه

“The sinister Black Demon struck with reverse claws, bending double the prince's tall stature.”

Kyumars • The Dawn of Kingship: The Reign of Kyumars and the Fall of Siamak بیت #260

سیامک به دست خروزان دیو / تبه گشت و ماند انجمن بی‌خدیو

“Siamak perished at the hands of the roaring demon, leaving the gathering without a lord.”

Kyumars • The Dawn of Kingship: The Reign of Kyumars and the Fall of Siamak بیت #262

از آن بد کنش دیو روی زمین / بپرداز و پردخته کن دل ز کین

“'Purge the face of the earth of that evil-doing demon, and thereby cleanse your heart of vengeance.'”

Kyumars • The Dawn of Kingship: The Reign of Kyumars and the Fall of Siamak بیت #273

بیامد سیه دیو با ترس و باک / همی بآسمان بر پراگند خاک

“The Black Demon advanced full of dread and fear, casting dust up toward the sky as he came.”

Kyumars • Hushang's Vengeance for Siamak and the Fall of the Black Demon بیت #288

ز هرّای درّندگان چنگ دیو / شده سست از خشم کیهان خدیو

“At the roaring of the fierce predators and the wrath of the World Lord, the demon's claws grew weak and paralyzed.”

Kyumars • Hushang's Vengeance for Siamak and the Fall of the Black Demon بیت #289

به هم برشکستند هر دو گروه / شدند از دد و دام دیوان ستوه

“The two hosts clashed furiously, and the demons were overwhelmed and broken by the wild beasts and birds.”

Kyumars • Hushang's Vengeance for Siamak and the Fall of the Black Demon بیت #290

بیازید هوشنگ چون شیر چنگ / جهان کرد بر دیو نستوه تنگ

“Hushang extended his lion-like claws, hemming in the stubborn demon and narrowing the world around him.”

Kyumars • Hushang's Vengeance for Siamak and the Fall of the Black Demon بیت #291

پسر بد مر او را یکی هوشمند / گرانمایه طهمورث دیو بند

“He had a son, intelligent and grand—the noble Tahmuras, binder of demons.”

Tahmoores • Tahmuras the Demon-Binder بیت #336

ز هر جای کوته کنم دست دیو / که من بود خواهم جهان را خدیو

“"I will cut short the reach of demons everywhere, for I am destined to be the lord of all the earth."”

Tahmoores • Tahmuras the Demon-Binder بیت #341

چو دیوان بدیدند کردار او / کشیدند گردن ز گفتار او

“When the demons beheld his deeds, they rebelled against his words and turned their heads away.”

Tahmoores • Tahmuras the Demon-Binder بیت #364

شدند انجمن دیو بسیار مر / که پردخته مانند از او تاج و فرّ

“Countless demons gathered in assembly, scheming to strip him of his crown and Divine Glory.”

Tahmoores • Tahmuras the Demon-Binder بیت #365

همه نرّه دیوان و افسونگران / برفتند جادو سپاهی گران

“All the fierce male demons and sorcerers marched forth, a massive army of evil enchantments.”

Tahmoores • Tahmuras the Demon-Binder بیت #368

دمنده سیه دیوشان پیش‌رو / همی بآسمان برکشیدند غو

“A roaring Black Demon led their host, raising a clamorous roar that reached the very heavens.”

Tahmoores • Tahmuras the Demon-Binder بیت #369

یکایک بیاراست با دیو جنگ / نبد جنگشان را فراوان درنگ

“Straightway he arrayed his force against the demons, and their battle was swift without delay.”

Tahmoores • Tahmuras the Demon-Binder بیت #371

زمانه بر آسود از داوری / به فرمان او دیو و مرغ و پری

“Time rested free from strife; demon, bird, and fairy all stood subject to his command.”

Jamshid • The Reign of Jamshid: The Golden Age and the Loss of Divine Glory بیت #385

بفرمود پس دیو ناپاک را / به آب اندر آمیختن خاک را

“Then he commanded the impure demons to mix water with earth.”

Jamshid • The Reign of Jamshid: The Golden Age and the Loss of Divine Glory بیت #415

به سنگ و به گچ دیو دیوار کرد / نخست از بَرَش هندسی کار کرد

“With stone and mortar the demons erected walls, applying geometric arts to their construction.”

Jamshid • The Reign of Jamshid: The Golden Age and the Loss of Divine Glory بیت #417

که چون خواستی دیو برداشتی / ز هامون به گردون برافراشتی

“Which, whenever he desired, the demons would lift up, raising it from the plain into the high heavens.”

Jamshid • The Reign of Jamshid: The Golden Age and the Loss of Divine Glory بیت #430

ز رنج و ز بدشان نبد آگهی / میان بسته دیوان به سان رهی

“They knew no suffering or ill; and the demons served them, bound like slaves.”

Jamshid • The Reign of Jamshid: The Golden Age and the Loss of Divine Glory بیت #438

بفرمود تا دیو چون جفت او / همی بوسه داد از بر سفت او

“He allowed the demon, like a companion, to plant kisses upon both his shoulders.”

Jamshid • The Sprouting of the Serpents upon Zahhak's Shoulders بیت #533

نهان گشت کردار فرزانگان / پراگنده شد کام دیوانگان

“The deeds of the wise were hidden away, while the wild desires of evil fools spread far and wide.”

Zahhak • The Thousand-Year Reign of Zahhak بیت #576

شده بر بدی دست دیوان دراز / به نیکی نرفتی سخن جز به راز

“The hands of demons stretched out toward wickedness, and no speech of goodness was uttered except in secret.”

Zahhak • The Thousand-Year Reign of Zahhak بیت #578

ز مردان جنگی یکی خواستی / بکشتی چو با دیو برخاستی

“He would demand one of the warrior men, slaying him whenever he consorted with demons.”

Zahhak • Armayel and Garmayel: The Rescue of the Serpent's Victims بیت #612

تو داری جهان زیر انگشتری / دد و مردم و مرغ و دیو و پری

“'Thou holdest the world beneath thy signet—beast, man, bird, demon, and fairy.'”

Zahhak • The Nightmare of Zahhak and the Mobads' Prophecy بیت #635

نگه کن که هوش تو بر دست کیست / ز مردم شمار ار ز دیو و پریست

“'Look and see by whose hand thy doom shall be—whether from among mortals, demons, or fairies.'”

Zahhak • The Nightmare of Zahhak and the Mobads' Prophecy بیت #638

همی زین فزون بایدم لشکری / هم از مردم و هم ز دیو و پری

“'Therefore, I need a vast army, composed of men, divs, and fairies alike.'”

Zahhak • Kaveh the Blacksmith, the Kavian Banner, and the Forging of the Ox-Headed Mace بیت #766

یکی لشگری خواهم انگیختن / ابا دیو مردم برآمیختن

“'I desire to raise a force wherein demonic hosts and mortals mingle together.'”

Zahhak • Kaveh the Blacksmith, the Kavian Banner, and the Forging of the Ox-Headed Mace بیت #767

خروشید کای پای مردان دیو / بریده دل از ترس گیهان خدیو

“And roared: 'O ye henchmen of the Demon, who have severed your hearts from fear of the Lord of the World!'”

Zahhak • Kaveh the Blacksmith, the Kavian Banner, and the Forging of the Ox-Headed Mace بیت #787

و زآن جادوان کاندر ایوان بدند / همه نامور نرّه دیوان بدند

“And as for the sorcerers who were in the hall, all of them renowned and mighty demon-men,”

Zahhak • Fereydun Cleanses the Palace and Liberates Jamshid's Daughters بیت #881

هر آن کس که بود اندر ایوان تو / ز مردان مرد و ز دیوان تو

“'Whoever was present in your palace, whether of brave men or powerful divs—'”

Zahhak • Kondrow Bears News of Fereydun to Zahhak بیت #951

بیامد دمان با سپاهی گران / همه نره دیوان جنگاوران

“He arrived furious with a heavy host—all fierce, warlike male demons.”

Zahhak • The Binding of Zahhak by Fereydun بیت #978

ز دیوارها خشت وز بام سنگ / به کوی اندرون تیغ و تیر و خدنگ

“Bricks from the walls and stones from the roofs rained down, while swords, arrows, and javelins filled the streets.”

Zahhak • The Binding of Zahhak by Fereydun بیت #984

به تخت خرد بر نشست آزتان / چرا شد چنین دیو انبازتان

“Your greed has usurped the throne of wisdom; why has the demon become your associate?”

Fereydoon • The Malice of Salm and Tur بیت #1334

و دیگر که فرمان ناپاک دیو / ببرد دل از ترس گیهان خدیو

“And moreover, the command of the foul Demon robbed our hearts of fear for the Lord of the Universe.”

Fereydoon • Salm and Tur Learn of Manuchehr بیت #1578

سوم دیو کاندر میان چون نوند / میان بسته دارد ز بهر گزند

“And third, the Demon who, like a swift courier, stands ever girt to do harm between men.”

Fereydoon • Salm and Tur Learn of Manuchehr بیت #1583

منوچهر چون زاد سرو بلند / به کردار طهمورث دیوبند

“Manuchehr stood like a tall cypress, in majesty like Tahmuras the binder of demons.”

Fereydoon • Salm and Tur Learn of Manuchehr بیت #1660