Gorgin (Shahnameh)

Gorgin (Persian: گُرگین) is an Iranian hero featured in the Shahnameh, serving under the kings Kay Kavus and Kay Khosrow. He is the son of Milad. The historian Tabari notes that Milad’s own father was also called Gorgin, which aligns with an ancient Iranian custom of giving the first grandson the same name as his grandfather. In addition to the Shahnameh, Gorgin appears in other Iranian epic works, including Faramarz Nama and Bahman Nama.

Within the Shahnameh, Gorgin is a well-known hero from the time of Kay Kavus. His most significant role occurs in the tale of Bizhan and Manizhe. He and Bizhan travel to the Turan border to kill wild boars roaming the land of Armenia. Jealous of Bizhan’s bravery, Gorgin tricks him into entering Turan. There, Bizhan meets and falls in love with Manizhe. The Turanian king Afrasiyab captures Bizhan and throws him into a dungeon. Gorgin returns to Iran and tells Kay Khosrow that Bizhan disappeared while hunting an onager. Kay Khosrow does not believe him, and Gorgin is arrested. He is later freed after Rostam intervenes. Together, Rostam and Gorgin then go to Turan to rescue Bizhan and bring him back to Iran.