The ambiguity in how power is transferred from Gushtasb to Bahman

Based on the report of Shahnameh, “Gushtasb”, the Kiani's king, announces that his condition for giving power to his son “Esfandiar” is arresting of “Rostam”. Rostam kills Esfandiar in a battle. Before dying, Esfandiiar ask Rostam to teach his son, Bahman, the royal and martial arts. Later, Bahman returns to his grandfather and at this time, Gushtasb calls “Jamasb” and tells him that he intends to step down from his monarchy. The purpose of the present study is to investigate how power is transferred from “Gushtasb” to “Bahman”. This article examines the events that took place after Esfandiar's death which were recorded in various sources. The events is show that “Gushtasb” was ousted in a public uprising by the royal family and under Bahman's supervisor. For the Sassanid kings who extended their ancestry to the Kiani's Bahman, it was not pleasant that the others read the story of a coup against Gushtasb. Therefore, they have deliberately sought to demonstrate that it was a peaceful power transition.