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Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings
 

Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings

by Ferdowsi

Among the great works of world literature, perhaps one of the least familiar to English readers is the Shahnameh: ThePersian Book of Kings, the national epic of Persia. This prodigious narrative, composed by the poet Ferdowsi between the years 980 and 1010, tells the story of pre- Islamic Iran, beginning in the mythic time of Creation and continuing forward to the Arab invasion in the seventh... (read more)

Top tags: classic literature,  persia,  persian mythology,  persian literature,  ??????. ?????? (all tags)

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  • Jane Austen Discussion Group
  • book-readers in iran Discussion Group
  • Iran Discussion Group
  • I.R.iran-Tehran Discussion Group
  • Shahname(The Book of Kings ) : The Great Mythology Discussion Group
  • Iranian Book Lovers Discussion Group

Other Reviews

Amazon Reviews (5)
 

Most Helpful Reviews

Liked It

Cyrus G
  • Rated 5 stars

“Equivalent to other literary world epics such as Gilgamesh and the 1001 Arabian Nights the Shahnameh, or the book of Kings, is an epic tale of pre-Islamic Iran by the 10th century poet Abolqasem Ferdowsi.

Family, love and war, hatred and joy, conquest and defeat, humanity and life struggles all combine together in the Shahnameh, from the First Kings to the exploits of Ardeshir to the reign of Sekandar to Bozorjmehr the interpreter to the death of King Mahuy.

Nice and easy is...”

Cyrus G’s full review »
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Community:
  • Rated 4.72 stars
Amazon:
  • Rated 4.5 stars
  

Newest Comments

  • Ehsan A

    ehsan a said:

    “Pre history section in Shahname begins with KIUMARTH and end with FEREYDOON. There are 7 periods – 7 symbols – in this section. I am going to write about these periods in several posts, beginning with KIUMARTH. You can find more information from http://www.bonyad-neyshaboor.com/articles.php.

    The first period is KIUMARTH. It comes from GAYA + MARTA in Avesta. GAYA is the root of GIYAN and JAN in Pahlavi and Parsi respectively, which means life. MARTA or Mordani in Parsi means dying. Hence KAYAMARTA or KIUMARTH means dying life! It refers to the appearance of life in the earth! A life that always ends in death.
    In Iranian stories, it is reported then when KIUMARTH died, he shed seed and two branch of rhubarb (Rivass in Parsi) grew from it. It is the time of advent of algae and bacteria. After 10 generations, other offspring appeared.

    I strongly recommend who is interested in Shahname to read this book:

    "Zendeghi va Mohajerate Ariaian bar Payeye Goftar haye Irani", Ostaad, Fereydoon e Joneydi, Nashre Balkh.”

    posted Friday, May 9 2008
  • sajjad m

    sajjad m said:

    “faghat 2 beit:
    ze shire shotor khordano susmar
    arab ra be jaei residast kar,
    ke taje kiani konad arezu,
    tofu bar to ei charkhe gardun tofouuuuu....”

    posted Friday, May 2 2008
  • sajjad m

    sajjad m said:

    “faghat 2 beit:
    ze shire shotor khordano susmar
    arab ra be jaei residast kar,
    ke taje kiani konad arezu,
    tofu bar to ei charkhe gardun tofouuuuu....”

    posted Friday, May 2 2008
  • dark_light94 m

    dark_light94 m said:

    “ketabi ke hame chizo ba ham ye ja dare kam payda mishe”

    posted Thursday, May 1 2008
  • Pooya M

    pooya m said:

    “It's a great book and I think it's the best poem book that I read I love it and I love Ferdowsi”

    posted Friday, April 4 2008
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