"Kai Khusrau, Farangis and Giv Crossing the River Jihun (Oxus)", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi

In the silvery river at the foreground of this image, three horses bear Farangis, widow of Siyavush (in the center), her son Kai Khusrau, the future king of Iran (in the front), and the hero Giv (at the rear) across the Oxus River to safety from the Turanian army. In a departure from the textual description, Kai Khusrau’s horse, formerly Siyavush’s black steed, is shown as white, and Farangis, said to be dressed in armor so as to escape notice, is depicted veiled.