Shaghad Explained

Shaghad or Shoghad was the half-brother of Rostam, the mighty Iranian hero of the Shahnameh, who killed Rostam by dropping him into a pit full of swords or other sharp objects.

Plot

Shaghad has always been jealous of Rostam's high status. At long last he finds an opportunity to carry out his evil intention. The King of Kabulestan and Shaghad together conspire against Rostam. They dig a deep well on the way of Rostam and his horse Rakhsh, and set poisoned spears at the bottom of the well. Rostam and Rakhsh fall into the well. Nearing his end, Rostam decides to get revenge. He asks Shaghad for a bow and two arrows. Shaghad agrees to fulfill the last wish of his brother. As soon as Shaghad gives Rostam the bow and arrows, he starts running away. Rostam shoots an arrow through the trunk of a tree at Shaghad and slays him. Then, he himself dies.^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

Notes and References

1. Book: Goodrich, S. C. . A History of All Nations. Original from the University of Michigan. 1864. Digitized Nov 23, 2005.
2. Book: Rosenberg, Donna. Folklore, Myths, and Legends: A World Perspective. McGraw-Hill Professional. 1997. 536. page 116-118. 0-8442-5780-X. https://books.google.com/books?id=-TdKE_Qgl28C&q=%22Zal%22,+Persian+warrior&pg=PA116.
3. Book: Reed, Elizabeth Armstrong. Persian Literature: Ancient and Modern. S. C. Griggs and company. 1893. Digitized Feb 5, 2007. Original from Harvard University. 419. XI.
4. Book: Khayyam, Omar. Edward FitzGerald . Ḥāfiẓ, Saʻdī. Persian Literature.... Translated by Herman Bicknell, James Ross. The Colonial press. page 50-. 1900. revised. Original from the University of Michigan. 1. The Sha Nameh, pages 50-67. https://books.google.com/books?id=58xGgBvWFcEC&q=%22Zal%22,+Persian+warrior&pg=PA50.