Epic Lore & Biography

Sekandar (Alexander the Great) is the conqueror King of Rum who defeated Dara, subjugating Iran, Egypt, India, and far-flung realms. Accompanied by Greek philosophers, he constantly seeks wisdom, wonders, and cosmic truths across the earth. In this chapter, he marches toward the city of the Brahmin ascetics, but upon receiving their philosophical warning, he halts his army and approaches them peacefully alongside his scholars. Engaging in profound discourses on mortality, greed, and divine destiny, Sekandar is deeply moved, declines to plunder their land, and departs peacefully toward the East.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (25)

چو رومی به نزد سکندر رسید / همه یاد کرد آنچ دید و شنید

“When the Roman messenger reached Iskandar, he recounted all that he had seen and heard.”

Eskandar • Delaray's Letter to Iskandar: Mourning Dara, Accepting Sovereignty, and the Ascension to the Kianian Throne بیت #29107

سکندر ز گفتار او گشت شاد / به آرام تاج کیی بر نهاد

“Iskandar grew joyful at his words, and in serene peace he set upon his head the Kianian Crown.”

Eskandar • Delaray's Letter to Iskandar: Mourning Dara, Accepting Sovereignty, and the Ascension to the Kianian Throne بیت #29109

ببردند نزد سکندر به شب / وزان راز نگشاد بر باد لب

“They bore it to Iskandar by night, and not a word was uttered to reveal the secret.”

Eskandar • The Symbolic Duel of Riddles: Iskandar and the Sage of Wisdom بیت #29399

سکندر نهاد آینه زیر نم / همی داشت تا شد سیاه و دژم

“Iskandar placed the mirror in moisture, keeping it there until it became dark and rusted.”

Eskandar • The Symbolic Duel of Riddles: Iskandar and the Sage of Wisdom بیت #29400

سکندر نگه کرد و او را بخواند / بپرسید و بر زیرگاهش نشاند

“Iskandar looked upon it and summoned him; he questioned him and seated him upon his throne.”

Eskandar • The Symbolic Duel of Riddles: Iskandar and the Sage of Wisdom بیت #29404

پسند آمدش تازه گفتار اوی / دلش تیزتر گشت بر کار اوی

“Iskandar was pleased by his fresh speech, and his heart grew keener toward his ways.”

Eskandar • The Symbolic Duel of Riddles: Iskandar and the Sage of Wisdom بیت #29419

سکندر بدو ماند اندر شگفت / ز هر گونه اندیشه‌ها برگرفت

“Iskandar remained in awe of him, and was seized by all manner of deep thoughts.”

Eskandar • The Symbolic Duel of Riddles: Iskandar and the Sage of Wisdom بیت #29429

چو آن نامه برخواند فور سترگ / برآشفت زان نامدار بزرگ

“When mighty Fur read that letter, he flew into a rage at that renowned conqueror.”

Eskandar • Fur's Wrathful Response to Iskandar and the Threat of War Elephants بیت #29521

جهانجوی ده نامور برگزید / ز مردان رومی چنانچون سزید

“The world-conqueror chose ten renowned men from among the Romans, as was fitting.”

Eskandar • Iskandar's Mission in Disguise to Queen Qeydafeh and Discovery via the Silk Portrait بیت #29802

همی رفت پیش اندرون قیدروش / سکندر سپرده بدو چشم و گوش

“Qeydarush rode ahead, while Iskandar entrusted his eyes and ears to his lead.”

Eskandar • Iskandar's Mission in Disguise to Queen Qeydafeh and Discovery via the Silk Portrait بیت #29805

مرا این که آمد همی با عروس / رها کرد ز اسکندر فیلقوس

“'And how Iskandar, son of Philip, set me free along with the bride who accompanies me.'”

Eskandar • Iskandar's Mission in Disguise to Queen Qeydafeh and Discovery via the Silk Portrait بیت #29815

بشد آن شب و بامداد پگاه / به پرسش بیامد به درگاه شاه

“That night passed, and at early dawn, Iskandar came to the royal court to pay his respects.”

Eskandar • Iskandar's Mission in Disguise to Queen Qeydafeh and Discovery via the Silk Portrait بیت #29822

سکندر بدان درشگفتی بماند / فراوان نهان نام یزدان بخواند

“Iskandar stood in utter astonishment and secretly invoked the name of God repeatedly.”

Eskandar • Iskandar's Mission in Disguise to Queen Qeydafeh and Discovery via the Silk Portrait بیت #29829

به می خوردن اندر گرانمایه شاه / فزون کرد سوی سکندر نگاه

“As they drank wine, the noble Queen gazed ever more closely at Iskandar.”

Eskandar • Iskandar's Mission in Disguise to Queen Qeydafeh and Discovery via the Silk Portrait بیت #29838

بدو گفت کای مرد گسترده کام / بگو تا سکندر چه دادت پیام

“She said to him, 'O man of ambitious heart! Tell me, what message did Iskandar entrust to you?'”

Eskandar • Iskandar's Mission in Disguise to Queen Qeydafeh and Discovery via the Silk Portrait بیت #29844

که گر هیچ جنبش بدی در نگار / نبودی جز اسکندر شهریار

“So perfect was the likeness that, had there been life and motion in the portrait, it would be none other than King Alexander himself.”

Eskandar • Iskandar's Mission in Disguise to Queen Qeydafeh and Discovery via the Silk Portrait بیت #29881

وزان جایگه لشکر اندر کشید / دمان تا به شهر برهمن رسید

“From that place he drew forth his army, marching swiftly until he reached the city of the Brahmins.”

Eskandar • Sekandar's Encounter with the Brahmins: A Dialogue on Greed, Fate, and Mortality بیت #30089

برهمن چو آگه شد از کار شاه / که آورد زان روی لشگر به راه

“When the Brahmin elders learned of the king's affair, and that he had set his host on the march...”

Eskandar • Sekandar's Encounter with the Brahmins: A Dialogue on Greed, Fate, and Mortality بیت #30091

نوشتند پس نامه‌ای بخردان / به نزد سکندر سر موبدان

“Then the wise men wrote a letter to Sekandar, the chief of the Roman philosophers.”

Eskandar • Sekandar's Encounter with the Brahmins: A Dialogue on Greed, Fate, and Mortality بیت #30093

فرستاده آمد بر شهریار / ز بیخ گیا بر میانش ازار

“The messenger came before the monarch, clad only in grass roots tied about his waist.”

Eskandar • Sekandar's Encounter with the Brahmins: A Dialogue on Greed, Fate, and Mortality بیت #30103

سکندر فرستاده و نامه دید / بی‌آزاری و رامشی برگزید

“Sekandar read the letter and saw the envoy; he chose peaceful harmlessness and tranquility.”

Eskandar • Sekandar's Encounter with the Brahmins: A Dialogue on Greed, Fate, and Mortality بیت #30104

سپه را سراسر هم آنجا بماند / خود و فیلسوفان رومی براند

“He halted his entire army right there, proceeding only with his Roman philosophers.”

Eskandar • Sekandar's Encounter with the Brahmins: A Dialogue on Greed, Fate, and Mortality بیت #30105

سکندر چو روی برهمن بدید / بران گونه آواز ایشان شنید

“When Sekandar saw the countenance of the Brahmins and heard the manner of their voices...”

Eskandar • Sekandar's Encounter with the Brahmins: A Dialogue on Greed, Fate, and Mortality بیت #30109

سکندر بپرسیدش از خواب و خورد / از آسایش روز ننگ و نبرد

“Sekandar questioned them of their sleep and food, and of rest from the days of strife and battle.”

Eskandar • Sekandar's Encounter with the Brahmins: A Dialogue on Greed, Fate, and Mortality بیت #30115

سکندر بپرسید که کاندر جهان / فزون آشکارا بود گر نهان

“Sekandar asked: "Is that which is manifest in the world greater, or that which is hidden?”

Eskandar • Sekandar's Encounter with the Brahmins: A Dialogue on Greed, Fate, and Mortality بیت #30123