THE SCENE: Having overcome numerous trials on his way to the demon city of Mazanderan, the Persian hero Rostam, once he arrives, wastes no time in absolutely crushing all resistance.
THE TEXT: Then he hung his grandfather’s mace from his saddle and rode into Mazanderan, his heart filled with schemes of conquest. He wore a royal helmet on is head, and his cuirass of tiger skin was soon soaked with sweat. He set off to find Arzhang, King of Demons, and when he came on the demon’s army he gave a great cry that seemed to split the sea and mountains. Arzhang heard this shout and came rushing out of his tent: Rostam saw him and urged his horse forward, bearing down on his like fire. He grabbed him by the head and ears, and holding on to his shoulders with his other hand tore the demon’s head off, like a ravening lion, and flung it covered in blood into the crowd of warriors. When the demons saw his mace, their hearts and claws split with terror, and, careless of their homes and homeland, fathers stumbled over sons in their efforts to flee. Rostam drew his sword and slaughtered many of them, and as the sun went down in the sky he galloped back to Mount Aspruz.
– The Shahnameh, Abolqasem Ferdowsi, 10th Century AD
