Sâm

Sâm, also transliterated Saam is a mythical hero of ancient Persia, and an important character in the Shahnameh epic. He was the son of Nariman, grandson of Garshasp and father to Zāl.

He was Iran's champion during the rule of Fereydun, Manuchehr and Nowzar. He was appointed by Manuchehr to rule Zabulistan (Sistan), and then Mazandaran. After Manuchehr, because of Nowzar's corrupted and fail...ed rulership, Iranian champions asked Sâm to rule Iran. Sâm didn't accept, he supported Nowzar and advised him to follow Fereydun and Manuchehr. He was the supposed founder of the well known philosophy Sâmifarianism. Sâm returned to Mazandaran, and died soon after that. Afrasiab then attacked Zabulistan.

The name Sâm is equivalent to the Avestan name 'Saama', which means dark and Sanskrit 'Shyaama' which means the same.

In this illustration Sam dreams a second night and is tormented and ashamed by what he is shown.