Kay Kawad

Kay Kawad (also known as Kay Qobad, Avestan 𐬐𐬀𐬎𐬎𐬌 𐬐𐬀𐬎𐬎𐬁𐬙𐬀 Kauui Kauuāta) is a mythological figure of the Iranian national history. The 'Kay' stock epithet identifies Kawad as a Kayanian, a mythological dynasty that in tradition Kay Kawad was also the founder of. In the Shahnameh, the 'Kay' epithet is not always indicative of a king being of Kayanian origin. For instance, Kavad I, who was a Sassanid King, is frequently referred to as 'Kay Qobād' (کی قباد) in the Story of Mazdak and Qubad.

In the tradition preserved in the Shahnameh, Kay Kawad was a descendant of Manuchehr, and lived in the Alborz mountains, and was brought to Estaxr (the capital) by Rustam. Under Nowzar, who loses the ' for oppressing the Iranians, the Pishdādi dynasty grows weak, and Iran falls to the Aniranian General Afrasiab, who kills Nowzar in battle. Kay Kawad then led the Iranian forces in battle and Afrasiab's army was routed after Rustam defeated and almost captured Afrasiab. For this feat and because he possesses the he is elected king by the Iranians, and the descendants of Nowzar—Zou, Garshasp and Gastham—pay him allegiance.