Esfandiyar (اسفندیار)

Esfandiyar is famous for being “brazen-bodied” (rûyîn-tan), having been blessed by the prophet Zoroaster (Zartosht), which made him invincible, though his eyes remained vulnerable. Zartosht also gave a Divine blessing to the prince and declared that anyone who spills the blood of Esfandiyar shall suffer a cursed life of bad omens until the day he dies, and even after death would be condemned to hell. His father, Goshtasp, promises Esfandiyar the throne, if he rescues his sisters, who’ve been captured by the wicked Arjasp. Esfandyar undergoes Seven Labors. After surviving all this, Esfandiyar doesn’t get peace or reward. Instead, he’s manipulated into a final clash that leads to his death. He was compelled by his father, to bring Rostam in chains. Esfandiyar delivers the message, but Rostam refuses to comply to be put in chains, only agreeing to accompany the young prince to his father's palace. Esfandiyar insists, but Rostam stands his ground and the two eventually meet in single combat. Realizing that his strength was not enough to defeat Esfandiyar, Rostam was instructed by Simurgh to shoot a two-pronged tamarisk arrow into Esfandiyar’s eyes, killing him. Rostam accepted to mentor and train Bahman at the request of Bahman's dying father, Esfandiyar.