Epic Lore & Biography

Ferohal is a heroic Iranian warrior and supreme archer chosen as one of the eleven champions in the battle of the Twelve Rokh. Famed across Iran for his unmatched mastery of the bow and arrow, he faced the Turanian champion Zangaleh in the fourth single combat. Ferohal pinned Zangaleh's thigh to his charger with a fatal poplar arrow, decapitated his opponent, stripped his armor, and raised the victory flag atop the ridge while praising King Kay Khosrow.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (12)

وگر تو نیابی مگر گستهم / بیاید دمان با فروهل به هم

“And if not you, let Gustahm come charging together with Frohel,”

12rokh • Houman's Bold Defiance, the Fall of the Four Guards, and the Commander's Shame بیت #17491

چو دیگر فروهل بد و زنگله / برون تاختند از میان گله

“Next were Furuhal and Zangaleh, who rode out from the ranks into the arena.”

12rokh • The Selection of Ten Champions, the Pairing of Rivals, and the Sacred Oath of Vengeance بیت #18828

چهارم فروهل بد و زنگله / دو جنگی به کردار شیر یله

“The fourth pair were Ferohal and Zangaleh, two warriors bold as unleashed lions.”

12rokh • The Fourth Combat: Ferohal and Zangaleh بیت #18887

به ایران نبرده به تیر و کمان / نبد چون فروهل دگر بی گمان

“In all Iran, surely there was no archer with bow and arrow to equal Ferohal.”

12rokh • The Fourth Combat: Ferohal and Zangaleh بیت #18888

چو از دور ترک دژم را بدید / کمان را به زه کرد و اندر کشید

“As he spied the grim Turanian warrior from afar, he strung his bow and drew it tight.”

12rokh • The Fourth Combat: Ferohal and Zangaleh بیت #18889

برآورد زان تیرهای خدنگ / گرفته کمان رفت پیشش به جنگ

“He pulled forth arrows of tough white poplar and, holding his bow, advanced to strike.”

12rokh • The Fourth Combat: Ferohal and Zangaleh بیت #18890

ابر زنگله تیرباران گرفت / ز هر سو کمین سواران گرفت

“He rained a shower of arrows upon Zangaleh, closing off all paths of ambush.”

12rokh • The Fourth Combat: Ferohal and Zangaleh بیت #18891

فروهل فروجست و ببرید سر / برون کرد خفتان رومی ز بر

“Ferohal leaped down and severed his head, stripping off his fine Roman coat of mail.”

12rokh • The Fourth Combat: Ferohal and Zangaleh بیت #18895

سرش را به فتراک زین برببست / بیامد گرفت اسب او را به دست

“He bound the severed head to his saddle-strap, then took hold of his opponent's horse.”

12rokh • The Fourth Combat: Ferohal and Zangaleh بیت #18896

به بالا برآمد به سان پلنگ / به خون غرقه گشته بر و تیغ و چنگ

“Like a fierce leopard he crested the ridge, his chest, blade, and hands drenched in blood.”

12rokh • The Fourth Combat: Ferohal and Zangaleh بیت #18897

درفش خجسته برآورد راست / شده شادمان یافته هرچ خواست

“He raised the blessed banner high and straight, joyful that he had won all he desired.”

12rokh • The Fourth Combat: Ferohal and Zangaleh بیت #18898

خروشید زان پس که پیروز باد / سر خسروان شاه فرخ نژاد

“Then he shouted aloud: "May victory crown our King of Kings, the monarch of blessed lineage!"”

12rokh • The Fourth Combat: Ferohal and Zangaleh بیت #18899