I’m back with another woman from the Shāhnāmeh! Today we have Tahmineh -تهمینه-, the badass princess of Samangān, who utilizes her sexual agency to GET. WHAT. SHE. WANTS!

One day, Rostam loses his horse, but tracks his footsteps to Samangān. There he asks the king for his steed, threatening to wreak havoc should he not find him! The king assures him that his horse will be found & invites him to spend the night with him feasting in Samangān.

That night, as a well wined-and-dined Rostam lays in his guest chamber, the door creaks open & a servant enters with a lit candle. Behind the servant comes the beautiful Tahmineh. Beholding her, Rostam is both awe-struck & confused and asks Tahmineh who she is & why she’s there.

Tahmineh replies that she is the daughter of the king of Samangān, revered by all yet seen by none. For years she has heard the tales of Rostam’s heroic feats & in hearing these, she has bitten her lips in desire. Now she has come to satisfy her longing & spend the night with him

چن این داستان‌ها شنیدم ز تو بسی لب به دندان گزیدم ز تو
بجستم همی کتف و یال و برت بدین شهر کرد ایزد آبشخورت
ترایم کنون گر بخواهی مرا نبیند جزین مرغ و ماهی مرا

“Helloooooooo, Big Boy!”

But Tahmineh isn’t just all romance! She also strikes a deal with Rostam, “You spend the night with me, sweet cheeks, & I guarantee you’ll have your horse back by dawn! Oh, & PS: Here’s hoping that I’ll have a son like you as a result of tonight!” Obvi Rostam can’t resist

The two spend the night in each other’s embrace and at dawn, the king brings news to Rostam that his steed has been found! Rostam is elated. Before leaving, he gives Tahmineh his armlet as a sign of remembrance should she become pregnant. Nine months later, Sohrāb is born!

That’s all for today! See you tomorrow!

Images
Hamid Rahmanian, Shahnameh: The Epic of the Persian Kings
Qajar Style Painting http://travelbrain.us 
Qajar “Café Style” Painting http://islamoriente.com 
London, Royal Asiatic Society, Persian MS 239, fol. 56v
London, British Library, IO Islamic 966, f.79
Hamid Rahmanian