A Study of the Evolution of the Character of Kavoos from Ancient Times to the Time of Shahnameh

Amongst all the kings of Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh, Kavoos is the most favored king who rules during a major portion of Iran’s national epic poem. A significant number of tales, as well as battles, of Shahnameh either happen during his reign, or subsequently, when he is still alive. Some of these tales and battles are those of Rostam and Sohrab, Siavosh and the battle of Mazandaran and Hamavaran, and Keikhsorow’s grand battle with Afrasiab. Kavoos is also mentioned in Avesta, Pahlavi, and post-Islamic Persian and Arabic texts. Although Avesta describes Kavoos as a competent and intelligent king who ruled “all peoples and all nations”, it does not, however, provide him with an unambiguous fate. The main features of this mighty and noted character becomes discernible mainly through browsing Pahlavi as well as post-Islamic Persian and Arabic texts. The current paper attempts to conduct a linear investigation into the evolution of the character of Kavoos through existing texts, from Avesta to Shahnameh. It also tries to delineate his involvement in such matters as flying and the battle of Mazandaran and Hamavaran.