Epic Lore & Biography

Alexander the Great, the Macedonian conqueror who subdued Persia, India, and vast realms before dying in his youth. His golden casket was brought to Alexandria, where Aristotle and the Roman philosophers uttered deep eulogies over his corpse, warning the world of the vanity of power and the inevitability of death.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (40)

چو دارا ز پیش سکندر برفت / به هر سو سواران فرستاد تفت

“When Dara departed from before Alexander, he hastily sent riders in every direction.”

Dara • Dara's Defeat in the Three-Day Battle, Alexander's Proclamation of Amnesty, and the Rallying of Iran at Istakhr بیت #28756

سکندر چو بشنید لشکر براند / پذیره شد و سازش آنجا بماند

“When Alexander heard this, he marched his army forth; he came to meet him, halting his preparations there.”

Dara • Dara's Defeat in the Three-Day Battle, Alexander's Proclamation of Amnesty, and the Rallying of Iran at Istakhr بیت #28760

سکندر بیامد پس او چو گرد / بسی از جهان‌آفرین یاد کرد

“Alexander pursued him like a dust storm, offering abundant praise to the Creator of the World.”

Dara • Dara's Defeat in the Three-Day Battle, Alexander's Proclamation of Amnesty, and the Rallying of Iran at Istakhr بیت #28765

خروشی برآمد ز پیش سپاه / که ای زیردستان گم کرده راه

“A cry went up from the head of his host: "O subjects who have lost your way!”

Dara • Dara's Defeat in the Three-Day Battle, Alexander's Proclamation of Amnesty, and the Rallying of Iran at Istakhr بیت #28766

شما را ز من بیم و آزار نیست / سپاه مرا با شما کار نیست

“You need fear no harm nor threat from me; my army has no quarrel with you.”

Dara • Dara's Defeat in the Three-Day Battle, Alexander's Proclamation of Amnesty, and the Rallying of Iran at Istakhr بیت #28767

سکندر بیامد به دشت نبرد / همه خواسته سربسر گرد کرد

“Alexander came to the field of battle and gathered all the spoils together.”

Dara • Dara's Defeat in the Three-Day Battle, Alexander's Proclamation of Amnesty, and the Rallying of Iran at Istakhr بیت #28771

ببخشید بر لشکرش خواسته / به نیرو سپاهی شد آراسته

“He bestowed the spoils upon his army, and his host became mighty and splendidly adorned.”

Dara • Dara's Defeat in the Three-Day Battle, Alexander's Proclamation of Amnesty, and the Rallying of Iran at Istakhr بیت #28772

ببود اندران بوم و بر چار ماه / چو آسوده شد شهریار و سپاه

“He remained in that land for four months, until both the king and his army were well rested.”

Dara • Dara's Defeat in the Three-Day Battle, Alexander's Proclamation of Amnesty, and the Rallying of Iran at Istakhr بیت #28773

همه پادشاهی سکندر گرفت / جهاندار شد تخت و افسر گرفت

“Alexander has seized the entire kingdom; he has become the world-ruler, taking throne and crown.”

Dara • Dara's Defeat in the Three-Day Battle, Alexander's Proclamation of Amnesty, and the Rallying of Iran at Istakhr بیت #28787

گزین کرد زان رومیان مرد چند / خردمند و بادانش و بی‌گزند

“He chose from among the Romans a few men, wise, knowledgeable, and untroubled by ill.”

Eskandar • The Nine Philosophers Inspect the Princess of Hind بیت #29327

یکی نامه بنوشت پس شهریار / پر از پوزش و رنگ و بوی و نگار

“The monarch then wrote a letter, filled with apologies, beauty, grace, and rich ornament.”

Eskandar • The Nine Philosophers Inspect the Princess of Hind بیت #29328

چو من نامه یابم ز پیران خویش / جهاندیده و رازداران خویش

“When I receive the letter back from my elders, world-experienced and keepers of secrets,”

Eskandar • The Nine Philosophers Inspect the Princess of Hind بیت #29333

خردمند نه مرد رومی برفت / ز پیش سکندر سوی کید تفت

“The nine wise Roman men departed, hastening from Alexander unto Kaid.”

Eskandar • The Nine Philosophers Inspect the Princess of Hind بیت #29336

فرستادشان شاه سوی عروس / بر آواز اسکندر فیلقوس

“The king sent them to the bride on behalf of Alexander, son of Philip.”

Eskandar • The Nine Philosophers Inspect the Princess of Hind بیت #29344

کنون هر یکی از یک اندام ماه / فرستیم یک نامه نزدیک شاه

“Now each of us shall send a letter to the king, describing one limb of this moon.'”

Eskandar • The Nine Philosophers Inspect the Princess of Hind بیت #29353

ز نزدیک ایشان سواری برفت / به نزد سکندر به میلاد تفت

“A rider swiftly departed from them, hastening to Alexander at Milad.”

Eskandar • The Nine Philosophers Inspect the Princess of Hind بیت #29356

چو شاه جهان نامه‌هاشان بخواند / ز گفتارشان در شگفتی بماند

“When the Lord of the World read their letters, he remained in utter wonder at their words.”

Eskandar • The Nine Philosophers Inspect the Princess of Hind بیت #29357

بدیشان جهاندار پاسخ نوشت / که بخ‌بخ که دیدم خرم بهشت

“The world-ruler wrote back to them: 'Bravo! Truly I have beheld a radiant paradise!”

Eskandar • The Nine Philosophers Inspect the Princess of Hind بیت #29359

نیازارد او را کسی زین سپس / ازو در جهان یافتم داد و بس

“'No one shall cause him harm henceforth; I have received justice from him, and that is enough.'”

Eskandar • The Nine Philosophers Inspect the Princess of Hind بیت #29362

بفرمود تا فیلسوفان روم / یکی پیل کردند پیشش ز موم

“He commanded the philosophers of Rome to fashion an elephant out of wax before him.”

Eskandar • Sikandar's March Against Fūr: The Mutiny of the Host and the Creation of the Iron Knights بیت #29588

چنین گفت کاکنون به پاکیزه رای / که آرد یکی چارهٔ این به جای

“He spoke thus: 'Now, with pure wisdom, who can devise a remedy for this?'”

Eskandar • Sikandar's March Against Fūr: The Mutiny of the Host and the Creation of the Iron Knights بیت #29589

یکی انجمن کرد ز آهنگران / هرانکس که استاد بود اندران

“He assembled a council of blacksmiths, gathering everyone who was a master of the trade.”

Eskandar • Sikandar's March Against Fūr: The Mutiny of the Host and the Creation of the Iron Knights بیت #29591

بفرمود تا زان فزون از هزار / ز آهن بکردند اسپ و سوار

“He ordered that more than a thousand such horses and riders be forged of iron.”

Eskandar • Sikandar's March Against Fūr: The Mutiny of the Host and the Creation of the Iron Knights بیت #29597

وزان جایگه رفت خورشیدفش / بیامد دمان تا زمین حبش

“From that place he departed radiant as the sun, advancing swiftly until he reached the land of Habash.”

Eskandar • Alexander's Campaign in Habash: The Battle with the Naked Host and the Slaying of the Monstrous Karg بیت #30197

به سوی سکندر نهادند سر / بکشتند بسیار پرخاشخر

“They charged headlong toward Alexander, slaying many of his warlike warriors.”

Eskandar • Alexander's Campaign in Habash: The Battle with the Naked Host and the Slaying of the Monstrous Karg بیت #30202

چو شب گشت بشنید آواز کرگ / سکندر بپوشید خفتان و ترگ

“When night fell, he heard the roar of the Karg; Alexander donned his body armor and helm.”

Eskandar • Alexander's Campaign in Habash: The Battle with the Naked Host and the Slaying of the Monstrous Karg بیت #30210

وزان جایگه تیز لشکر براند / بسی نام دادار گیهان بخواند

“From that place he swiftly marched his host onward, offering much praise to the Creator of the world.”

Eskandar • Alexander's Campaign in Habash: The Battle with the Naked Host and the Slaying of the Monstrous Karg بیت #30214

بپرسید هرچیز و دریا بدید / وزان روی لشکر به مغرب کشید

“Having inquired of all wonders and surveyed the sea, he led his army toward the West.”

Eskandar • Sikandar Reaches the Western City and Learns of the Water of Life بیت #30365

به فرمان به پیش سکندر شدند / دو تا گشته و دست بر سر شدند

“They bowed low before Sikandar’s command, placing their hands upon their heads in submission.”

Eskandar • Sikandar Reaches the Western City and Learns of the Water of Life بیت #30368

سکندر بپرسید از سرکشان / که ایدر چه دارد شگفتی نشان

“Sikandar questioned the warlords: 'What marvels lie hidden within this realm?'”

Eskandar • Sikandar Reaches the Western City and Learns of the Water of Life بیت #30369

وزان جایگه شاد لشگر براند / بزرگان بیدار دل را بخواند

“From that place he marched the joyful army forward, and summoned the wise and vigilant nobles.”

Eskandar • Sikandar and Khizr's Quest for the Water of Life بیت #30383

فرود آمد و بامداد پگاه / به نزدیک آن چشمه شد بی‌سپاه

“He dismounted, and early at break of day, went near that spring without his army.”

Eskandar • Sikandar and Khizr's Quest for the Water of Life بیت #30386

بیامد به لشکرگه خویش باز / دلی پر ز اندیشه‌های دراز

“He returned to his military encampment, his heart filled with long and profound thoughts.”

Eskandar • Sikandar and Khizr's Quest for the Water of Life بیت #30390

سکندر بیامد به فرمان اوی / دل و جان سپرده به پیمان اوی

“Sikandar followed his command, surrendering his heart and soul to his covenant.”

Eskandar • Sikandar and Khizr's Quest for the Water of Life بیت #30396

بدو گفت کای مرد بیداردل / یکی تیز گردان بدین کار دل

“He said to him: 'O vigilant-hearted man, sharpen your heart for this task!'”

Eskandar • Sikandar and Khizr's Quest for the Water of Life بیت #30397

دگر مهره باشد مرا شمع راه / به تاریک اندر شوم با سپاه

“'The other jewel shall be my path's lamp; I shall enter the pitch darkness with the army.'”

Eskandar • Sikandar and Khizr's Quest for the Water of Life بیت #30402

سه دیگر به تاریکی اندر دو راه / پدید آمد و گم شد از خضر شاه

“On the third day in the darkness, two paths appeared, and Khizr became lost to King Sikandar.”

Eskandar • Sikandar and Khizr's Quest for the Water of Life بیت #30408

سکندر چو بشنید شد سوی کوه / به دیدار بر تیغ شد بی‌گروه

“When Iskandar heard the divine lore, he journeyed toward the mountain, ascending its sharp peak alone without his retinue.”

Eskandar • Iskandar's Ascent to Israfil, the Journey through Darkness, and the Secret of the Enchanted Jewels بیت #30435

سرافیل را دید صوری به دست / برافراخته سر ز جای نشست

“There he beheld Israfil with the Trumpet in hand, towering high and seated upon his celestial place.”

Eskandar • Iskandar's Ascent to Israfil, the Journey through Darkness, and the Secret of the Enchanted Jewels بیت #30436

چو بر کوه روی سکندر بدید / چو رعد خروشان فغان برکشید

“As Israfil beheld the face of Iskandar upon the peak, he let out a roar like thunderous roaring.”

Eskandar • Iskandar's Ascent to Israfil, the Journey through Darkness, and the Secret of the Enchanted Jewels بیت #30438