Epic Lore & Biography

Alexander the Great (Sekandar), mentioned in Bahram Gur's reflective speech as a ruthless invader from Roum who devastated the Iranian land and slew thirty-six royal sovereigns, earning enduring curse and enmity in the hearts of Iranian kings.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (40)

سکندر چو بشنید کامد سپاه / بزد کوس و آورد لشکر به راه

“When Sekandar heard the host had arrived, he struck the war-drums and set his army upon the march.”

Dara • The Seven-Day Battle of Alexander and Dara: Flight of the Persian Host and Victory by the River بیت #28738

دو لشکر که آن را کرانه نبود / چو اسکندر اندر زمانه نبود

“Two endless armies faced one another; in that age, there was no conqueror like Alexander.”

Dara • The Seven-Day Battle of Alexander and Dara: Flight of the Persian Host and Victory by the River بیت #28739

سپاه سکندر پس اندر دمان / یکی پرغم و دیگری شادمان

“Alexander's army roared in relentless pursuit—the one side full of grief, the other filled with joy.”

Dara • The Seven-Day Battle of Alexander and Dara: Flight of the Persian Host and Victory by the River بیت #28752

سکندر بشد تا لب رودبار / بکشتند ز ایرانیان بی‌شمار

“Sekandar pressed forward to the riverbank, and countless Iranians were slain in the carnage.”

Dara • The Seven-Day Battle of Alexander and Dara: Flight of the Persian Host and Victory by the River بیت #28753

سکندر چو از کارش آگاه شد / که دارا به تخت افسر ماه شد

“When Sekandar became aware of his deeds—that Dara had ascended the throne with the moon-bright crown,”

Dara • Dara's Third Defeat, Sekandar's Proclamation at Istakhr, and the Counsel for Conciliation بیت #28802

سپه برگرفت از عراق و براند / به رومی همی نام یزدان بخواند

“He raised an army from Iraq and marched, while the Romans invoked the name of God.”

Dara • Dara's Third Defeat, Sekandar's Proclamation at Istakhr, and the Counsel for Conciliation بیت #28803

سیم ره به دارا درآمد شکست / سکندر میان تاختن را ببست

“For the third time defeat befell Dara, while Sekandar girded his loins for the charge.”

Dara • Dara's Third Defeat, Sekandar's Proclamation at Istakhr, and the Counsel for Conciliation بیت #28811

سکندر بیامد زی اصطخر پارس / که دیهیم شاهان بد و فخر پارس

“Sekandar arrived at Istakhr of Pars, which was the crown of kings and the pride of Persia.”

Dara • Dara's Third Defeat, Sekandar's Proclamation at Istakhr, and the Counsel for Conciliation بیت #28813

کرا مادر و خواهر و دختر است / همه پاک بر دست اسکندر است

“'Whoever had a mother, sister, or daughter—they are all entirely in Sekandar’s hands.'”

Dara • Dara's Third Defeat, Sekandar's Proclamation at Istakhr, and the Counsel for Conciliation بیت #28836

به نزدیک اسکندر آمد وزیر / که ای شاه پیروز و دانش‌پذیر

“The minister came near unto Sekandar, saying: 'O victorious and wisdom-seeking King!'”

Dara • The Death of King Dara and Sekandar's Vengeance on the Traitors بیت #28908

چو بشنید گفتار جانوشیار / سکندر چنین گفت با ماهیار

“When Sekandar heard the words of Janushyar, he turned to Mahyar and spoke thus:”

Dara • The Death of King Dara and Sekandar's Vengeance on the Traitors بیت #28910

برفتند هر دو به پیش اندرون / دل و جان رومی پر از خشم و خون

“The two led the way before him, while the heart and soul of the Roman king boiled with rage and anguish.”

Dara • The Death of King Dara and Sekandar's Vengeance on the Traitors بیت #28912

سکندر ز باره درآمد چو باد / سر مرد خسته به ران بر نهاد

“Sekandar dismounted from his steed like the wind, and gently placed the wounded king's head upon his thigh.”

Dara • The Death of King Dara and Sekandar's Vengeance on the Traitors بیت #28915

ز دیده ببارید چندی سرشک / تن خسته را دور دید از پزشک

“Tears rained down from Sekandar's eyes, seeing the wounded body far from any physician's aid.”

Dara • The Death of King Dara and Sekandar's Vengeance on the Traitors بیت #28918

سکندر ز دیده ببارید خون / بران شاه خسته به خاک اندرون

“Sekandar wept tears of blood from his eyes over that wounded king lying in the dust.”

Dara • The Death of King Dara and Sekandar's Vengeance on the Traitors بیت #28944

سکندر بدو گفت فرمان تراست / بگو آنچ خواهی که پیمان تراست

“Sekandar answered him: 'Thy command is my law; speak what thou wilt, for thy covenant shall be bound!'”

Dara • The Death of King Dara and Sekandar's Vengeance on the Traitors بیت #28949

سکندر چو بر تخت بنشست گفت / که با جان شاهان خرد باد جفت

“When Sekandar sat upon the throne, he said: 'May the soul of kings ever be paired with wisdom.'”

Eskandar • Sekandar Ascends the Throne: The Sermon of Justice and Remission of Tribute بیت #29041

چو اسکندر این نیکویها بگفت / دل پادشا گشت با داد جفت

“When Sekandar uttered these righteous words, his royal heart became bound with justice.”

Eskandar • Sekandar Ascends the Throne: The Sermon of Justice and Remission of Tribute بیت #29050

ز عموریه مادرش را بخواند / چو آمد سخنهای دارا براند

“He summoned his mother from Amorium, and when she arrived, he spoke to her of Dara's last words.”

Eskandar • The Sending of Sekandar's Mother to Isfahan and the Royal Wedding with Roshanak بیت #29110

چو ماه اندر آمد به مشکوی شاه / سکندر بدو کرد چندی نگاه

“When that moon-like maiden entered the royal palace, Sekandar gazed long upon her.”

Eskandar • The Sending of Sekandar's Mother to Isfahan and the Royal Wedding with Roshanak بیت #29135

چو مادرش بر تخت زرین نشاند / سکندر بروبر همی جان فشاند

“When his mother seated her upon the golden throne, Sekandar would have poured out his very life for her.”

Eskandar • The Sending of Sekandar's Mother to Isfahan and the Royal Wedding with Roshanak بیت #29137

سکندر چو کرد اندر ایران نگاه / بدانست کو را شد آن تاج و گاه

“When Sekandar looked upon the realm of Iran, he realized that its crown and throne belonged to him.”

Eskandar • Alexander's Campaign Against Kayd of India and the Ultimatum بیت #29267

همی راه و بی‌راه لشکر کشید / سوی کید هندی سپه برکشید

“He marched his army through highways and trackless paths, driving his forces toward Kayd of India.”

Eskandar • Alexander's Campaign Against Kayd of India and the Ultimatum بیت #29268

به جایی که آمد سکندر فراز / در شارستانها گشادند باز

“Wherever Sekandar advanced, the cities threw open their gates to him.”

Eskandar • Alexander's Campaign Against Kayd of India and the Ultimatum بیت #29269

نویسندهٔ نامه را خواندند / به پیش سکندرش بنشاندند

“They summoned the scribe of the letter and seated him before Sekandar.”

Eskandar • Alexander's Campaign Against Kayd of India and the Ultimatum بیت #29273

ز اسکندر راد پیروزگر / خداوند شمشیر و تاج و کمر

“From noble, victorious Sekandar—master of the sword, crown, and waist-girdle of rule.”

Eskandar • Alexander's Campaign Against Kayd of India and the Ultimatum بیت #29275

سپهدار هندوستان شاد شد / که از رنج اسکندر آزاد شد

“The commander of Hindustan was overjoyed that he was freed from the hardship of Alexander.”

Eskandar • The Arrival of Faghestan and Alexander's Nuptials by the Messianic Rite بیت #29366

سکندر نگه کرد بالای اوی / همان موی و روی و سر و پای اوی

“Alexander looked upon her tall stature, her hair, her face, and her body from head to foot.”

Eskandar • The Arrival of Faghestan and Alexander's Nuptials by the Messianic Rite بیت #29382

سکندر بیامد دلی همچو کوه / رها گشته از شاه دانش پژوه

“Alexander arrived with a heart steadfast as a mountain, having set forth as the envoy of the wisdom-seeking king.”

Eskandar • Alexander before Queen Qeydafeh: The Intercession of Prince Qeydarus and the Ultimatum of Tribute بیت #29923

نبودش ز قیدافه چین در بروی / نبرداشت هرگز دل از آرزوی

“He displayed no furrow of anxiety before Qeydafeh, nor did he ever abandon his grand ambitions.”

Eskandar • Alexander before Queen Qeydafeh: The Intercession of Prince Qeydarus and the Ultimatum of Tribute بیت #29924

به اسکندر نامور شاه گفت / که پیدا کن اکنون نهان از نهفت

“Then the Queen spoke to the renowned Alexander: 'Now reveal what is hidden in secrecy!'”

Eskandar • Alexander before Queen Qeydafeh: The Intercession of Prince Qeydarus and the Ultimatum of Tribute بیت #29935

چه خواهی و رای سکندر به چیست / چه رانی تو از شاه و دستور کیست

“'What do you seek, what is Alexander's intent, what message do you deliver from that king, and who is his counselor?'”

Eskandar • Alexander before Queen Qeydafeh: The Intercession of Prince Qeydarus and the Ultimatum of Tribute بیت #29936

سکندر بدو گفت کای سرفراز / به نزد تو شد بودن من دراز

“Alexander said to her: 'O exalted Queen, my stay in your presence has been prolonged.'”

Eskandar • Alexander before Queen Qeydafeh: The Intercession of Prince Qeydarus and the Ultimatum of Tribute بیت #29937

بدان جایگه شاه ماهی بماند / پس‌انگه بجنبید و لشکر براند

“At that place the king remained for a month; thereafter he mobilized his forces and marched forth.”

Eskandar • Sekandar's March from Hulwan to Sind, the Conquest of Bandah, and the Homage of the King of Yemen بیت #30684

سکندر سبک پرسش اندر گرفت / که ایدر چه بینید چیزی شگفت

“Sekandar swiftly inquired of them: 'What wondrous thing do you see in this land?'”

Eskandar • Sekandar's March from Hulwan to Sind, the Conquest of Bandah, and the Homage of the King of Yemen بیت #30689

شب آمد بران دشت سندی نماند / سکندر سپاه از پس‌اندر براند

“Night fell, and not a Sindian remained on that plain; Sekandar drove his army in pursuit.”

Eskandar • Sekandar's March from Hulwan to Sind, the Conquest of Bandah, and the Homage of the King of Yemen بیت #30698

سکندر بریشان نیاورد مهر / بران خستگان هیچ ننمود چهر

“Sekandar showed them no affection, nor did he turn his face toward those wounded souls.”

Eskandar • Sekandar's March from Hulwan to Sind, the Conquest of Bandah, and the Homage of the King of Yemen بیت #30703

سکندر بپرسید و بنواختشان / بر تخت نزدیک بنشاختشان

“Sekandar greeted and welcomed them warmly, seating them near his throne.”

Eskandar • Sekandar's March from Hulwan to Sind, the Conquest of Bandah, and the Homage of the King of Yemen بیت #30716

سکندر برو آفرین کرد و گفت / که با تو همیشه خرد باد جفت

“Sekandar praised him in turn and said: 'May wisdom ever be your companion!'”

Eskandar • Sekandar's March from Hulwan to Sind, the Conquest of Bandah, and the Homage of the King of Yemen بیت #30719

ازان پس بیامد دوان مادرش / فراوان بمالید رخ بر برش

“Thereafter came his mother running in haste, rubbing her face repeatedly against his chest.”

Eskandar • The Mourning of Sekandar's Mother and Roshanak, the Burial, and Reflection on Transience بیت #30918