Firdausi Knihy

The narrative explores the tragic relationship between Esfandiyar, the heir to the throne, and Rostam, Iran's greatest hero. After a victorious campaign, Esfandiyar expects his father, Goshtasp, to abdicate in his favor but is instead tasked with capturing Rostam. This command reveals a deep conflict, as Esfandiyar recognizes it as a dangerous ploy, yet feels compelled to obey. The story critiques the exploitation of heroism for selfish royal ambitions, highlighting a modern skepticism about traditional values in Ferdowsi's epic.

Dick Davis, "our pre-eminent translator from the Persian" (Washington Post) has revised and expanded his highly-praised translation of Ferdowsi's masterpiece, including more than 100 pages of newly translated text. Davis's elegant combination of prose and verse allows the poetry of the Shanameh to sing its own tales directly, interspersed sparingly with clearly-marked explanations to ease along modern readers. 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.

Rostam is Iran's greatest mythological hero, a Persian Hercules, magnificent in strength and courage. This book begins with the birth of Rostam's father and ends with Rostam's death. The tales tell of the love between Zal and Rostam's mother, the Kaboli princess Rudabeh; of Rostam's miraculous birth, aided by the magical bird Simorgh; and more.

The book is a facsimile reprint of an original antiquarian work, reflecting its historical significance. Although it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, and flawed pages due to its age, it serves as a culturally important piece. The publisher is dedicated to protecting and promoting literature by offering this modern edition that remains true to the original.

This antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of an original work, preserving its historical significance despite potential imperfections like marks and flawed pages. It reflects a commitment to cultural preservation and accessibility, offering modern readers a chance to engage with important literature in a high-quality format that remains true to the original.

The book is regarded as a significant literary work, valuable for scholars and future generations. It has been reproduced in its original print format, preserving its authentic nature, including any marks or annotations from its initial publication. This approach ensures that the book's historical context and true essence remain intact, allowing readers to appreciate its importance in literature.

Ferdowsi's monumental tenth-century epic, the Shahnameh (The Epic of the Kings), is a compendium of Iranian myths, legends, and events of the ancient past. It is set within a framework of Persian traditional history from the creation to the collapse of the Iranian empire in the seventh-century C.E. One of the three major heroic epics produced in Asia (the others being the Indian Mahabharata and Ramayana), the Shahnameh has been considered over the centuries the greatest work of Persian literature and the strongest pillar of Persian identity. In his lucid prose translation of the Shahnameh the late Professor Reuben Levy has preserved the descriptive beauty and the dramatic tension of the original work.