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Fire ordeal of Siyavush

Fire ordeal of Siyavush

Folio 76a

In this painting we see Siyavush, a son of the Iranian king Kay Kaʾus. Siyavush’s upbringing was entrusted to the hero Rustam, and he only returned to his father’s court after he had grown into a handsome young man. Sudabah, one of the king’s wives, was immediately infatuated with him and tried to coax him into her quarters. When Siyavush refused her advances and rejected her, Sudabah became enraged. She tore her clothes, scratched her own face, and then told Kay Ka’us that Siyavush had tried to violate her. She even claimed that he caused her to have a miscarriage.

Kay Ka’us, doubtful about whether to believe Sudabah’s story, followed the recommendation of his advisers and asked Siyavush to undergo a trial by fire to prove his innocence. Here, Siyavush is seen riding through the flames unharmed, passing the test. The king and his scheming wife watch the scene from separate palace windows.

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