The great national epic of Persia—the most complete English-language edition and definitive translation by Dick Davis. Wherever Persian influence has spread, the stories of the Shahnameh become deeply embedded in the culture, as amply attested by their appearance in such works as The Kite Runner and the love poems of Rumi and Hafez. Among the greatest works of world literature, this prodigious narrative, composed by the poet Ferdowsi in the late tenth century, tells the story of pre-Islamic Iran, beginning in the mythic time of creation and continuing forward to the Arab invasion in the seventh century. The sweep and psychological depth of the Shahnameh is nothing less than magnificent as it recounts classic tales like the tragedy of Rostam and Sohrab. Now Dick Davis, “our pre-eminent translator from the Persian” (Washington Post), presents a comprehensive translation of Ferdowsi’s masterpiece in an elegant combination of prose and verse, allowing the poetry of the Shanameh to sing its own tales directly, interspersed sparingly with clearly-marked explanations to ease along modern readers.

Foreword /Azar Nafisi -- Introduction -- The first kings -- The demon-king Zahhak -- The story of Feraydun and his three sons -- The story of Iraj -- The vengeance of Manuchehr -- The tale of Sam and the Simorgh -- The tale of Zal and Rudabeh -- Rostam, the son of zal-Dastan -- The beginning of the war between Iran and Turan -- Rostam and his horse Rakhsh -- Rostam and Kay Qobad -- Kay Kavus's war against the demons of Mazanderan -- The seven trials of Rostam -- The king of Jamaveran and his daughter Sudabeh -- The tale of Sohrab -- The legend of Seyavash -- Forud, the son of Seyavash -- The Akvan div -- Bizhan and Manizheh -- The occultation of Kay Khosrow -- Rostam and Esfandyar -- The death of Rostam -- The story of Darab and the Fuller -- Sekandar's conquest of Persia -- The reign of Sekandar -- The Ashkanians -- The reign of Ardeshir -- The reign of Shapur, son of Ardeshir -- The reign of Shapur Zu'l aktaf -- The reign of Yazdegerd the unjust -- The reign of Bahram Gur -- The sotry of Mazdak -- The reign of Kesra Nushin-Ravan -- The reign of Hormozd -- The reign of Khosrow Parviz -- Ferdowsi's lament for the death of his son -- The story of Khosrow and Shirin -- The reign of Yazdegerd -- Glossary of names -- Index of headings.

Aiso Library Poetry month selection