Ferdowsi's great epic poem begins with the story of Keyumars, the first king to arise among humans, who at that time lived in mountain caves and wore the skins of leopards. God (Hormazd) granted him the supernatural radiance called farr reserved for kings. His son was Siāmak and was beloved by all, except the destructive spirit Ahriman, who raised an army under the command of his own demonic son. When the divine figure Sorush warned Keyumars, Siāmak led an army of his own. Siāmak accepted a challenge to single combat and died at the hands of the demon.