A comparison of Kaveh the Blacksmith’s functions with Gobryas (Ug-ba-ru)’s functions

The myth of Kaveh the Blacksmith in Shahnameh has specific signs, practices and actions which make the functions of the myth of this character. Given the overall similarity of the tale of Zahhak and Fereydun-in which Kaveh the Blacksmith has played a crucial role-to the historical narration of Babylon conquer written by Herodotus, Xenophon and Ctesias in the history of the Achaemenid Empire, reminds us of signs, practices and actions of Gobryas (Ug-ba-ru) who was the Cyrus the Achaemenid’s confederate.This thesis aims to examine and compare Kaveh the Blacksmith’s most important functions in narration of Shahnameh since his appearance in the tale of Zahhak and Fereydun with Gobryas (Ug-ba-ru), the Cyrus the Achaemenid’s confederate during Babylon’s conquer based upon available historical documents and reports. The present research is of analytic-comparative nature on the basis of library data which tries to demonstrate a similarity between the character functions in the myth and an evidence in the history. This comparison may result in a redefinition of Kaveh the Blacksmith’s character and of some of his functions in Shahnameh.For instance, regarding the historical and religious sources, one may examine his being a blacksmith as his title instead of his occupation. Furthermore, this analogy may help doubt the idea that Kaveh the Blacksmith is considered as popular and supplementary, suggested by some mythologists including Arthur Christensen, Mehrdad Bahar and Zabihollah Safa.