The fire ordeal of Siyavush, from a Shahnama (book of kings)
for Muhammad Juki, 15th century. Illuminated manuscript, 34 x 22 cm.

Siyavush was one of the legendary Persian heroes of
the Shahnama. According to Firdawsi's poem, the prince was forced to pass
through a mountain of fire to prove his innocence when his stepmother falsely
accused him of having tried to seduce her. Despite successfully passing this
ordeal, Siyavush was later falsely accused of another crime and killed, and is
consequently one of the great martyrs of Persian legend.