Epic Lore & Biography

The grand hero of Iran, son of Nariman and father of Zal. Ancestor of the hero lineage of Zabolistan, cited by Pashotan as a symbol of legendary lineage.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (40)

برنجید پس هر کسی نان خویش / بورزید و بشناخت سامان خویش

“Each man labored for his own bread, tilling the land and establishing his own livelihood.”

Hushang • The Foundations of Blacksmithing and Industry by King Hushang بیت #325

چو سام نریمان و سرو یمن / به پیش سپاه اندرون رای زن

“'With Sam, son of Nariman, and Sarv of Yemen as counselors at the head of the host.'”

Fereydoon • Salm and Tur Learn of Manuchehr بیت #1626

چپ لشکرش را بگرشاسپ داد / ابر میمنه سام یل با قباد

“He gave the left wing of his host to Garshasp, and placed valiant Sam alongside Qobad upon the right wing.”

Fereydoon • The March of Salm and Tur Against Iran بیت #1715

سپه کش چو قارن مبارز چو سام / سپه برکشیده حسام از نیام

“With a host commander like Qaran and a warrior like Sam, the whole army stood with swords drawn from their scabbards.”

Fereydoon • The March of Salm and Tur Against Iran بیت #1718

جهان پهلوان سام بر پای خاست / چنین گفت کای خسرو داد راست

“Then Sam, the World-Champion, stood upon his feet and spoke thus: 'O righteous King!'”

Manoochehr • The Ascension of Manuchehr to the Kiani Throne بیت #1970

بر او آفرین کرد بس شهریار / بسی دادش از گوهر شاهوار

“The sovereign praised Sam profusely, and bestowed upon him abundant royal gems.”

Manoochehr • The Ascension of Manuchehr to the Kiani Throne بیت #1981

چو از پیش تختش گرازید سام / پسش پهلوانان نهادند گام

“When Sam stepped back from before his throne, the paladins followed behind his footsteps.”

Manoochehr • The Ascension of Manuchehr to the Kiani Throne بیت #1982

نگه کن که مر سام را روزگار / چه بازی نمود ای پسر گوش دار

“Behold what games Destiny played with Sam; give ear, O son, to this mystery.”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #1985

نبود ایچ فرزند مر سام را / دلش بود جویندهٔ کام را

“Sam possessed no child to carry his line, though his heart yearned constantly for his desire.”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #1986

ز سام نریمان هم او بار داشت / ز بار گران تنش آزار داشت

“She conceived a child by Sam the Hero, and her body felt the heavy strain of her burden.”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #1989

پسر چون ز مادر بر آن گونه زاد / نکردند یک هفته بر سام یاد

“When the son was born in such a manner, for a whole week none dared mention him to Sam.”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #1992

کسی سام یل را نیارست گفت / که فرزند پیر آمد از خوب‌جفت

“None dared tell the valiant Sam that an old-haired child was born of his fair bride.”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #1994

که بر سام یل روز فرخنده باد / دل بدسگالان او کنده باد

“Saying: 'May this day be auspicious for valiant Sam, and may the heart of his ill-wishers be torn out!”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #1996

فرود آمد از تخت سام سوار / به پرده درآمد سوی نو بهار

“Sam the horseman descended from his throne and entered the inner bower to see the newborn.”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #2000

به سام نریمان رسید آگهی / از آن نیک پی پور با فرّهی

“Tidings reached Sam, son of Nariman, regarding that fortunate and gloriously endowed son.”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #2034

یکی پیش سام آمدی زان دو مرد / زبان بر گشادی به گفتار سرد

“One of those two men stepped forward to Sam and opened his mouth in harsh reproach:”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #2049

به خواب اندرون بر خروشید سام / چو شیر ژیان کاندر آید به دام

“Sam roared out in his sleep, like a raging lion caught in a snare.”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #2056

بدان سنگ خارا نگه کرد سام / بدان هیبت مرغ و هول کنام

“Sam gazed up at that hard granite rock, awestruck by the majestic terror of the Bird and its dread nest.”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #2062

چنین گفت سیمرغ با پور سام / که ای دیده رنج نشیم و کنام

“Thus spoke the Simurgh to the son of Sam: 'O child who hast endured the hardship of nest and lair!'”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #2069

پدر سام یل پهلوان جهان / سرافرازتر کس میان مهان

“'Thy father is Sam the mighty, champion of the world, the most exalted among all the great ones.'”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #2070

دل سام شد چون بهشت برین / بر آن پاک فرزند کرد آفرین

“Sam's heart became like highest paradise, and he bestowed his blessing upon that noble child.”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #2090

سپه یک‌سره پیش سام آمدند / گشاده دل و شادکام آمدند

“The entire army came forward to meet Sam, with open hearts and filled with delight.”

Manoochehr • The Tale of the Birth of Zal, Sam's White-Haired Child بیت #2097

یکایک به شاه آمد این آگهی / که سام آمد از کوه با فرّهی

“Word came directly to the King that Sam had descended from the mountain adorned with Divine Glory.”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2105

بفرمود تا نوذر نامدار / شود تازیان پیش سام سوار

“He commanded the renowned Prince Nowzar to ride forth swiftly to meet Sam the champion.”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2107

ببیند یکی روی دستان سام / به دیدار ایشان شود شادکام

“Thus he might gaze upon Zal, the son of Sam, and rejoice in beholding their countenance.”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2110

چو نوذر بر سام نیرم رسید / یکی نو جهان پهلوان را بدید

“When Nowzar reached Sam, son of Nariman, he beheld a new world-conquering champion.”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2112

فرود آمد از باره سام سوار / گرفتند مر یک‌دگر را کنار

“Sam dismounted from his steed, and the two nobles embraced one another with affection.”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2113

ز شاه و ز گردان بپرسید سام / از ایشان بدو داد نوذر پیام

“Sam inquired after the King and his warriors, and Nowzar delivered the royal message.”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2114

چو بشنید پیغام شاه بزرگ / زمین را ببوسید سام سترگ

“Upon hearing the message of the great King, the mighty Sam kissed the earth in reverence.”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2115

درفش منوچهر چون دید سام / پیاده شد از باره بگذارد گام

“When Sam caught sight of Manuchehr's royal banner, he dismounted and walked on foot.”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2118

به یک دست قارن به یک دست سام / نشستند روشن‌دل و شادکام

“With Qaren on one side and Sam on the other, they sat radiant in spirit and full of joy.”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2122

چنین گفت مر سام را شهریار / که از من تو این را به زنهاردار

“The sovereign addressed Sam, saying: 'Keep this youth safe under your protection and care.'”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2126

یکایک همه سام با او بگفت / هم از آشکارا هم اندر نهفت

“Sam revealed everything to him, detail by detail, both what was open and what was secret.”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2130

چو این کرده شد سام بر پای خاست / که ای مهربان مهتر داد و راست

“When all this was completed, Sam stood up and said: 'O loving monarch of justice and truth!”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2169

هر آن‌جا که بد مهتری نامجوی / ز گیتی سوی سام بنهاد روی

“Wherever there was a renowned leader, he turned his face from afar toward Sam,”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2179

نشست آنگهی سام با زیب و جام / همی داد چیز و همی راند کام

“Then Sam sat in splendour with goblet in hand, bestowing gifts and fulfilling every desire.”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2182

سوی زال کرد آنگهی سام روی / که داد و دهش گیر و آرام جوی

“Then Sam turned his face toward Zal and said: 'Embrace justice and generosity, and seek tranquility.'”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2198

به سام آنگهی گفت زال جوان / که چون زیست خواهم من ایدر نوان

“Then young Zal spoke unto Sam: 'How am I to live here in sorrow and distress?'”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2202

بیامد پر اندیشه دستان سام / که تا چون زید تا بود نیک نام

“Dastan, son of Sam, arrived filled with profound reflection, considering how he might live so as to leave behind a good name.”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2221

بدین سان همی گشت گردان سپهر / ابر سام و بر زال گسترده مهر

“In this manner the revolving heavens turned, bestowing grace and affection upon Sam and upon Zal.”

Manoochehr • The Triumph of Zal: Royal Reception, Cosmic Prophecy, and Governance of Zabolistan بیت #2229