Shahryār

Ruler of a persian empire extending over several middle eastern countries including India, passing the Ganges river reaching parts of China, he is one of the main characters of the book One Thousand and One Nights (also known as Arabian Nights). His brother Shāhzamān (شاهزمان), whom ruled over the Samarkand area, discovers one of Shahryār's many wifes commiting adultery. Enraged, he orders her immediate execution. Fearing that because of this treason his imagined perfect future is in danger, he desides to marry a new virgin every night and have her executioned in the morning, thus preventing any further betrayals.

Being Scheherazade one of this virgins, she uses intrigue in order to survive and not be executed, by means of telling him a new story every night.