Ashkash (Persian: اشکَش [Ashˈkash], Balochi: آسکَشّ), also known as Askas or Arsakes, is a major figure in the epic poem Shahnameh.^{[citation needed]} He is introduced by Ferdowsi as the general of Kay Khosrow's army.

He is depicted as an Iranian hero from the Kayanian dynasty, tasked by Kay Khosrow to govern Makran. As a commander, Ashkash played led the army during Kay Khosrow's campaign against Turan to avenge the death of Siyavash.

Ashkash led a group called Fereydounid, who were among the heroes of Kay Khosrow. He may have been among the princes of the Parthian era, each of whom had their own army and banner, but who were obedient to the king.

There have been several other mentions of the name Ashkash from the region. In the Mojmal al-Tawarikh (p. 91), Ashkash, son of Kay Kawad is mentioned as one of the 1200 generals of Kay Khosrow. Al-Tabari and Al-Biruni cite Ashkan ibn Ash in his mention of the Parthian kings.

Ashkash was one of the seven Iranian men who went to Turan with the mythological hero Rostam to free Bizhan, and was present in many battles. In Khwarazm, he forced Shideh to flee and was appointed as the ruler of Makran by the order of Kay Khosrow.

One of his most important roles is in the story of Bizhan and Manizhe, where Gorgin becomes envious of Bizhan's bravery and seduces him to go to Turan. There, Bizhan finds Manizhe and they fell in love. But Afrasiyab arrests Bizhan and imprisons him. Kay Khosrow gave the order to release Bizhan with special powers to Rostam and Ashkash

This is depicted in the mythological part of the Shahnameh, a prose work written in Middle Persian.

"To lead the host Ruhham, Farhad, two men of valour
and Ashkash, that lion-hero"