Epic Lore & Biography

Queen of Iran and daughter of the King of Hamavarand, whose lustful machinations and slander drove Prince Siyavash into exile in Turan, leading directly to his murder. When news of the prince's death reached Iran, Rostam stormed her palace quarters, dragged her out by her hair, and executed her by slicing her in two with his dagger.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (40)

غمی گشت و سودابه را پیش خواند / ز کاووس با او سخنها براند

“He became sorrowful and called Sudabeh before him, speaking to her of Kavus's words.”

Hamavaran • Kay Kavus's Wooing and Marriage to Sudabeh, Princess of Hamavaran بیت #5607

بدو گفت سودابه زین چاره نیست / ازو بهتر امروز غمخواره نیست

“Sudabeh said to him: 'There is no alternative to this; today there is no better guardian than him.”

Hamavaran • Kay Kavus's Wooing and Marriage to Sudabeh, Princess of Hamavaran بیت #5612

بدانست سالار هاماوران / که سودابه را آن نیامد گران

“The Lord of Hamavaran realized that Sudabeh did not view the proposal with distress.”

Hamavaran • Kay Kavus's Wooing and Marriage to Sudabeh, Princess of Hamavaran بیت #5615

نگه کرد کاووس و خیره بماند / به سودابه بر نام یزدان بخواند

“Kavus looked and was left spellbound, reciting the name of Yazdan over Sudabeh.”

Hamavaran • Kay Kavus's Wooing and Marriage to Sudabeh, Princess of Hamavaran بیت #5625

سزا دید سودابه را جفت خویش / ببستند عهدی بر آیین و کیش

“He deemed Sudabeh worthy to be his spouse, binding a covenant according to their custom and creed.”

Hamavaran • Kay Kavus's Wooing and Marriage to Sudabeh, Princess of Hamavaran بیت #5627

بدانست سودابه رای پدر / که با سور پرخاش دارد به سر

“Sudabeh perceived her father's true design—that beneath the disguise of a feast lay a plot for war.”

Hamavaran • The Treachery of the King of Hamavaran: The Captivity of Kavus and Sudabeh, and the Descent of Iran into Chaos بیت #5634

ز سودابه گفتار باور نکرد / نیامدش زیشان کسی را بمرد

“Yet Kavus heeded not Sudabeh's words, believing that none among them possessed the courage to challenge him.”

Hamavaran • The Treachery of the King of Hamavaran: The Captivity of Kavus and Sudabeh, and the Descent of Iran into Chaos بیت #5638

که سودابه را باز جای آورند / سراپرده را زیر پای آورند

“Sent to bring Sudabeh back and trample her royal pavilion underfoot.”

Hamavaran • The Treachery of the King of Hamavaran: The Captivity of Kavus and Sudabeh, and the Descent of Iran into Chaos بیت #5672

چو سودابه پوشیدگان را بدید / ز بر جامهٔ خسروی بردرید

“When Sudabeh saw the veiled ladies of the court, she tore off her royal garments in grief.”

Hamavaran • The Treachery of the King of Hamavaran: The Captivity of Kavus and Sudabeh, and the Descent of Iran into Chaos بیت #5673

به مشکین کمند اندرآویخت چنگ / به فندق گلان را به خون داد رنگ

“She clutched at her musk-scented tresses with her hands, and with ruby fingertips clawed her rosy cheeks until they ran red with blood.”

Hamavaran • The Treachery of the King of Hamavaran: The Captivity of Kavus and Sudabeh, and the Descent of Iran into Chaos بیت #5674

بگفتند گفتار او با پدر / پر از کین شدش سر پر از خون جگر

“They reported her passionate words to her father; his head filled with malice, and his heart burned with rage and grief.”

Hamavaran • The Treachery of the King of Hamavaran: The Captivity of Kavus and Sudabeh, and the Descent of Iran into Chaos بیت #5682

به حصنش فرستاد نزدیک شوی / جگر خسته از غم به خون شسته روی

“So he dispatched her to the fortress to join her husband, her heart wounded with sorrow and her face washed in blood-red tears.”

Hamavaran • The Treachery of the King of Hamavaran: The Captivity of Kavus and Sudabeh, and the Descent of Iran into Chaos بیت #5683

نشستن به یک خانه با شهریار / پرستنده او بود و هم غمگسار

“She dwelt in the same prison cell with the king, serving as both his devoted attendant and his loyal comforter.”

Hamavaran • The Treachery of the King of Hamavaran: The Captivity of Kavus and Sudabeh, and the Descent of Iran into Chaos بیت #5684

بسودابه فرمود کاندر نشین / نشست و به خورشید کرد آفرین

“He commanded Sudabeh to sit within; she took her seat and praised the radiant sun.”

Hamavaran • Rostam's Triumph over the Three Monarchs and the Liberation of Kay Kavus بیت #5795

برآمد برین نیز یک روزگار / چنان بد که سودابهٔ پرنگار

“A period passed in this wise, until it came to pass that Sudabeh, radiant and ornate,”

Siavosh • The Birth of Siyavash, His Fostering by Rostam, and the Shadows of Sudabeh's Passion بیت #7321

دگر روز شبگیر سودابه رفت / بر شاه ایران خرامید تفت

“On the next day at early dawn, Sudabeh went in haste before the Shah of Iran.”

Siavosh • The Birth of Siyavash, His Fostering by Rostam, and the Shadows of Sudabeh's Passion بیت #7328

پس پردهٔ من ترا خواهرست / چو سودابه خود مهربان مادرست

“Behind my curtain thou hast sisters, and Sudabeh herself is unto thee a loving mother.”

Siavosh • The Birth of Siyavash, His Fostering by Rostam, and the Shadows of Sudabeh's Passion بیت #7336

که گر من شوم در شبستان اوی / ز سودابه یابم بسی گفت و گوی

“Thinking: 'If I enter his inner quarters, I shall face much trouble and gossip from Sudabeh.'”

Siavosh • The Birth of Siyavash, His Fostering by Rostam, and the Shadows of Sudabeh's Passion بیت #7345

پس پرده اندر ترا خواهرست / پر از مهر و سودابه چون مادرست

“'Behind the curtain thou hast sisters full of affection, and Sudabeh is like a mother to thee.'”

Siavosh • The Birth of Siyavash, His Fostering by Rostam, and the Shadows of Sudabeh's Passion بیت #7358

به سودابه فرمود تا پیش اوی / نثار آورد گوهر و مشک و بوی

“He commanded Sudabeh to bring before him offerings of gems, musk, and sweet perfumes.”

Siavosh • The Birth of Siyavash, His Fostering by Rostam, and the Shadows of Sudabeh's Passion بیت #7364

بران تخت سودابه ماه روی / بسان بهشتی پر از رنگ و بوی

“Upon that throne sat moon-faced Sudabeh, like unto a paradise brimming with color and scent.”

Siavosh • The Birth of Siyavash, His Fostering by Rostam, and the Shadows of Sudabeh's Passion بیت #7380

نشسته چو تابان سهیل یمن / سر جعد زلفش سراسر شکن

“Seated like the brilliant star Canopus of Yemen, her curled locks cascading in countless waves.”

Siavosh • The Birth of Siyavash, His Fostering by Rostam, and the Shadows of Sudabeh's Passion بیت #7381

سیاوش چو از پیش پرده برفت / فرود آمد از تخت سودابه تفت

“As Siyavash stepped through the curtain, Sudabeh quickly descended from her throne.”

Siavosh • The Birth of Siyavash, His Fostering by Rostam, and the Shadows of Sudabeh's Passion بیت #7384

بیامد خرامان و بردش نماز / به بر در گرفتش زمانی دراز

“She advanced gracefully, bowed down in reverence, and held him in a long embrace.”

Siavosh • The Birth of Siyavash, His Fostering by Rostam, and the Shadows of Sudabeh's Passion بیت #7385

همی چشم و رویش ببوسید دیر / نیامد ز دیدار آن شاه سیر

“She kissed his eyes and face repeatedly, never weary of beholding the prince.”

Siavosh • The Birth of Siyavash, His Fostering by Rostam, and the Shadows of Sudabeh's Passion بیت #7386

همی گفت صد ره ز یزدان سپاس / نیایش کنم روز و شب بر سه پاس

“She said, "A hundred praises unto God! Night and day through all hours shall I offer my prayers,"”

Siavosh • The Birth of Siyavash, His Fostering by Rostam, and the Shadows of Sudabeh's Passion بیت #7387

که کس را بسان تو فرزند نیست / همان شاه را نیز پیوند نیست

“"For none possesses a son like unto thee, nor hath the King any kin so sublime."”

Siavosh • The Birth of Siyavash, His Fostering by Rostam, and the Shadows of Sudabeh's Passion بیت #7388

بر خواهران بد زمانی دراز / خرامان بیامد سوی تخت باز

“After spending much time with his sisters, he walked back gracefully toward the main throne.”

Siavosh • The Birth of Siyavash, His Fostering by Rostam, and the Shadows of Sudabeh's Passion بیت #7392

پژوهنده سودابه را شاه گفت / که این رازت از من نباید نهفت

“Inquiringly, the King said to Sudabeh, "Thou must not hide this secret from me."”

Siavosh • The Birth of Siyavash, His Fostering by Rostam, and the Shadows of Sudabeh's Passion بیت #7401

بدو گفت سودابه همتای شاه / ندیدست بر گاه خورشید و ماه

“Sudabeh said to him: "The sun and moon upon their thrones have never beheld anyone equal to the king's son."”

Siavosh • The Birth of Siyavash, His Fostering by Rostam, and the Shadows of Sudabeh's Passion بیت #7404

بدو گفت سودابه گر گفت من / پذیره شود رای را جفت من

“Sudabeh said: "If my husband consents and accepts my advice,"”

Siavosh • The Birth of Siyavash, His Fostering by Rostam, and the Shadows of Sudabeh's Passion بیت #7407

نباید که سودابه این بشنود / دگرگونه گوید بدین نگرود

“"Only let Sudabeh not hear of this, lest she twist words and oppose this course."”

Siavosh • The Birth of Siyavash, His Fostering by Rostam, and the Shadows of Sudabeh's Passion بیت #7424

به سودابه زین‌گونه گفتار نیست / مرا در شبستان او کار نیست

“"I have no desire to speak thus with Sudabeh, nor have I any business in her inner chambers."”

Siavosh • The Birth of Siyavash, His Fostering by Rostam, and the Shadows of Sudabeh's Passion بیت #7425

نهانی ز سودابهٔ چاره‌گر / همی بود پیچان و خسته جگر

“Yet secretly, because of artful Sudabeh, his heart remained twisted and tormented.”

Siavosh • The Birth of Siyavash, His Fostering by Rostam, and the Shadows of Sudabeh's Passion بیت #7431

نشست از بر تخت سودابه شاد / ز یاقوت و زر افسری برنهاد

“Sudabeh sat joyfully upon her throne, placing a crown adorned with rubies and gold upon her head.”

Siavosh • The Ordeal by Fire: Sudabeh's Treachery and Siyavash's Immaculate Triumph بیت #7434

چنین گفت با هیربد ماه‌روی / کز ایدر برو با سیاوش بگوی

“The moon-faced queen spoke to the chief eunuch: 'Go hence and say unto Siyavash...'”

Siavosh • The Ordeal by Fire: Sudabeh's Treachery and Siyavash's Immaculate Triumph بیت #7436

فرود آمد از تخت و شد پیش اوی / به گوهر بیاراسته روی و موی

“She descended from her throne and walked toward him, her hair and face glittering with radiant gems.”

Siavosh • The Ordeal by Fire: Sudabeh's Treachery and Siyavash's Immaculate Triumph بیت #7441

سیاوش بر تخت زرین نشست / ز پیشش بکش کرده سودابه دست

“Siyavash sat upon the golden throne, while Sudabeh stood reverently before him with crossed arms.”

Siavosh • The Ordeal by Fire: Sudabeh's Treachery and Siyavash's Immaculate Triumph بیت #7442

چو ایشان برفتند سودابه گفت / که چندین چه داری سخن در نهفت

“When they departed, Sudabeh said: 'Why do you keep your desire so deeply veiled?'”

Siavosh • The Ordeal by Fire: Sudabeh's Treachery and Siyavash's Immaculate Triumph بیت #7450

پر از بند سودابه کاو دخت اوست / نخواهد همی دوده را مغز و پوست

“'Sudabeh, his daughter, is full of deceit; she wishes no good upon our lineage.'”

Siavosh • The Ordeal by Fire: Sudabeh's Treachery and Siyavash's Immaculate Triumph بیت #7458