Rustum

in Persian legend, a famous warrior. He was of gigantic size and of great piety and valor. He met with many adventures in defending the Persian throne during his life of several centuries. His story is told in the epic poem, Shah Nahmeh. The most dramatic episode of his career is connected with his son Sohrab. Rustum married a beautiful princess Tahmineh. Obliged to leave her soon after their marriage, Rustum gave his wife an amulet, and said that if a son should be born to them, she must bind the amulet upon his arm. A boy was born, but fearing that the child would be taken from her, Tahmineh sent word to Rustum that the child was a girl. Sohrab grew into a prodigy of strength and courage. When only ten years old he started out to seek his father. Unwittingly, father and son met and engaged in single combat and the son was slain. Rustum discovered his identity by means of the amulet. Matthew Arnold has made use of the story in a poem entitled Sohrab and Rustum.