Esfandiyār

Statue of Esfandiyār in Ramsar, Iran.

Rostam and Esfandiyar

Sepandiār or Esfandiyār (Persian: سپنديار‎), also transliterated as Sepandiyar, Esfandyar, Isfandiar, Isfandiyar or Esfandiar, is a legendary Iranian hero also known as Belfian. He was the son and the crown prince of the Kayanian King Goshtasp (from Middle Persian Wishtasp from Avestan language Vishtaspa) and brother of the saintly Pashotan (Middle Persian Peshotan, Avestan Peshotanu).

Perso (Persian/Iranian) 'Sepandiār' derives from Middle Persian 'Spandadat' or 'Spandyat' (the variance is due to ambiguities inherent to Pahlavi script), which in turn derives from Avestan Spentodata "Given by/through bounty" or "Given by (the) holy" (see Amesha Spenta for other meanings of spenta-). The Median language *Spendata - as it is reconstructed - probably motivated a similar Old Persian form, which may be inferred from Greek Sphendadates, a 5th-century BCE political figure unrelated to the Esfandiar of legend. Equally unrelated is the Sassanid-era feudal house of Spandyat, that - like numerous other feudal houses also - adopted a Kayanian name in order to legitimize and emphasize the antiquity of their genealogy.

In the Shahnameh

Esfandiyar fighting with wolves.

According to the Shahnameh Sepandiār (Esfandyar) as the Crown Prince of ancient Iran (or Persia) supported Zartosht (Zarathustra) the prophet to spread the religion of Zoroastrianism in the land and fought against many apostates and enemies of Zartosht to do so, In return Zartosht gave an Armor from heavens to him that made him Invincible and blessed the prince and also prophesied or declared That anyone who would spill the blood of Esfandyar (kill him) will suffer a cursed life of bad omens until the day he dies; and even after death will be condemned to hell. That's why in the famous story of Rostam's fight against Esfandyar simorgh warned Rostam before helping him to Defeat and kill the Prince. and told him That Esfandyar is a blessed divine prince and there would be no shame in surrendering to him.

The "Sepandiār" of legend is best known from the tragic story of a battle with Rostam, as described in Ferdowsi's epic Shahnameh (Book of Kings). It is one of the longest episodes in the epic, and one of its literary highlights:

Sepandiār (Esfandiar) is promised the throne by his father Goshtasp if he manages to repel an invasion in far-off provinces. Sepandiār is successful at this, but his father stalls and instead sends him off on another mission to suppress a rebellion in Turan. Sepandiar is again successful, and upon his return Goshtasp hedges once again and - although he is aware of a prediction that foretells the death of Esfandyar at the hand of Rostam - compels the young hero to go and bring the aging Rostam in chains for his arrogance and not paying due respect to the king. Although Esfandyar initially protests, reminding his father of Rostam's fame, great age and services to the dynasty, he eventually complies with his father's wishes and sets out towards Rostam.

Upon reaching the home of Rostam, Sepandiār delivers the message, but Rostam refuses to comply with being put in chains, accepting only to accompany the young prince to his father's. Esfandyar insists, but Rostam - although making numerous concessions - stands his ground, and the two eventually meet in single combat. In the subsequent battle, Esfandyar which is Invincible is unaffected by Rostam's blows while the champion is seriously wounded.

Pleading respite to dress his wounds, Rostam withdraws, where he learns from simurgh of the only weapon that can affect Esfandyar which is the wood of a special tamarisk tree as a doble headed arrow shot to his eyes. and also heals rostam wounds, and it is through these that the young prince can be vanquished. Simurgh Also warns him about the fate that awaits the murderer of Esfandyar and asks Rostam to consider surrendering to The Prince. But Rostam refuses to accept the shame of surrendering to anyone and upon making this decision, Rostam fashions the double head arrow with a feather of Simurgh and a twig of a tamarisk tree, and when the battle resumes the next morning, Esfandyar is slain by a shot through the eyes.

In the end Sepandiār confesses that it was the false promise of his father Goshtasp who did not want to part with his throne, and the Arrow of Simurgh that killed him; and Rostam is not guilty in this, but his real murderer who should be cursed and blamed is Goshtasp.

Dragon blood

Near the city Dalaran is a natural liquid tar spring. This blue spring is located in a natural protected area named Crystalsong Forest. According to native myths, this tar spring was the blood of a dragon that was killed by Esfandiyar.^[1]

Future

Legend states that a descendant of Esfandiar by the alias of Esfand (Tiam), a Paladin of great strength, will one day roam the earth. However, his existence is not yet known.

See also

• the heel of Achilles
• the shoulder of Sigurd (Siegfried)
• the thighs of Duryodhana

References