Arjasp

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Arjasp is a figure from Iranian mythology and Persian epic literature. He appears in the ancient texts as a major antagonist to the Iranians and is best known from the Shahnameh, Iran’s national epic.

Name
Arjasp comes from the Avestan name Arәĵaṭ.aspa, related to the word for horse. In Modern Persian it is Arjāsp. Later historical writers mention forms such as Kharzasp and Hazarāsf, which are thought to be corruptions of the original name.

In the Avesta
Arjasp is described as the leader of the Xyaona, a tribe hostile to the early Zoroastrian faith and to Goshtasp (Vishtaspa). The Xyaona are presented as enemies of the Iranians, and some scholars think they later took the place of the Turanians as Iran’s main foes.

In later tradition
Middle Persian writings expand the story. Goshtasp’s wars against the Xyaonas are elaborated, with Arjasp leading them. After Goshtasp’s conversion to Zoroastrianism, Arjasp continues to oppose the new faith. He is said to kill Lohrāsp and Zarēr, but the Xyaonas are eventually defeated. The Bundahishn places these events at the Mad-Frayād mountain. In Yadegar-e Zariran, Arjasp is captured, mutilated, and then released.

In the Shahnameh
The Shahnameh gives Arjasp his most famous portrayal. He is a Turanian king, the son of Shavāsp, and the brother of Afrāsiyab (with two other brothers, Gohram and Andarīmān). A second war breaks out when Arjasp learns Goshtasp has imprisoned his son Esfandiār. Arjasp besieges Balkh and captures Homāy and Behāfrīd (Goshtasp’s daughters). Jamāsp, Goshtasp’s vizier, frees Esfandiār, who then defeats Arjasp and drives his army from Iran to the castle Royēn Diž, where Arjasp is killed.