Espandiar, son of Gushtasp and Kāvān, and grandson of Loharasp, is a Kayanian prince in the mythological and epic history of Iran and a hero of the sacred wars of the Zoroastrian faith, most recognized for his tragic battle with Rustam, another Iranian champion

The oldest source that mentions the name Esfandiar is the Avesta, in which Esfandiar is referred to as taxma-, meaning “powerful, brave

The Seven Trials
The greatest challenge of Esfandiar is passing through the Seven Trials and capturing the invulnerable fortress. Esfandiar’s sisters have been imprisoned in this fortress. The path to this fortress is filled with various dangers and obstacles. Overcoming and passing these hardships creates Esfandiar’s Seven Trials

The battle with Rostam
The most passionate event in the record of Esfandiar is his fight with Rostam, which is one of the longest and, from a literary perspective, the most prominent sections of the Shahnameh

Esfandiar, the Guardian of the Zoroastrian Faith
Although Esfandiar is primarily known from non-religious writings and his battles with Rostam, in Zoroastrian texts, he and Zarir are among the first to have embraced the Zoroastrian faith and are its most devoted champions. In the Avesta, Esfandiar is someone who has protected this faith, and his holy spirit or fravašī is praised. He is also present in several miracles of Zoroaster