Sām (سام), 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 failed rulership, Iranian champions asked Sām to rule Iran. Sām didn't accept, he supported Nowzar and advised him to follow Fereydun and Manuchehr. Sām returned to
Mazandaran, and died soon after that.
Afrasiab then attacked Zabulistan.
