Introduction
Tahmineh is a princess of Samangan, who became, through a brief union with the travelling hero Rostam, the mother of Sohrab, the son whose tragic, unrecognised duel with his own father is one of the Shahnameh's most devastating episodes.
Family
Union with Rostam
While staying at Samangan during his travels, Rostam was visited secretly at night by Tahmineh, who had heard of his fame and courage and wished to bear his child. Their brief union produced Sohrab, though Rostam departed Samangan soon after, unaware for years that he had fathered a son.
Raising Sohrab
Tahmineh raised Sohrab in Turan, and when he grew into a mighty young warrior eager to seek out and be reunited with his famous but unknown father, she gave him a token, an armband Rostam had left with her, meant to allow father and son to recognise one another. Tragically, this token failed to prevent their fatal, unrecognised combat, and Tahmineh's hope for a joyful reunion ended instead in her son's death at his own father's hand.