THE PERSIAN EPIC AS WORLD LITERATURE THE SHAHNAMEH e THE SHAHNAMEH THE PERSIAN EPIC AS WORLD LITERATURE HAMID DABASHI Columbia University Press New York Columbia University Press Publishers Since 1893 New York Chichester, West Sussex cup .columbia .edu Copyright © 2019 Columbia University Press All rights reserved Library of Congress Cataloging- in- Publication Data Names: Dabashi, Hamid, 1951– author. Title: The Shahnameh : the Persian epic in world literature / Hamid Dabashi. Description: New York : Columbia University Press, 2019. | Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifiers: LCCN 2018019466 (print) | LCCN 2018020311 (ebook) | ISBN 9780231544948 (electronic) | ISBN 9780231183444 (cloth : alk. paper) Subjects: LCSH: Firdawsī. Shāhnāmah. Classification: LCC PK6459 (ebook) | LCC PK6459 .D33 2018 (print) | DDC 891.55/11—d c23 LC record available at https: //lccn .loc .gov /2018019466 Columbia University Press books are printed on permanent and durable acid- free paper. Printed in the United States of America Chapter opening art: Folios from an illuminated manuscript. Made in Iran, Tabriz. The Shahnameh (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp. Author Abu’l Qasim Firdausi (935– 1020). Paintings attributed to Qadimi (ca. 1525– 65). Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of Arthur A. Houghton Jr., 1970. Preface: The Shah’s Wise Men Approve of Zal’s Marriage, Folio 86v, ca 1525– 30 Introduction: The Angel Surush Rescues Khusrau Parviz from a Cul-d e- sac, Folio 708v, ca 1530– 35 Chapter 1: Zal Expounds the Mysteries of the Magi, Folio 87v, ca 1525 Chapter 2: Tahmuras Defeats the Divs, Folio 23v, ca 1525 Chapter 3: Siyavush Recounts His Nightmare to Farangis, Folio 195r, ca 1525– 30 Chapter 4: Bahram Recovers the Crown of Rivniz, Folio 245r Chapter 5: Nushirvan Greets the Khaqan’s Daughter, Folio 633v, cz 1530– 35 Conclusion: Afrasiyab on the Iranian Throne, Folio 105r, ca 1525– 30 Cover image: Rustam and Isfandiyar Begin Their Combat, Folio 461v, ca 1525 For Sultan Mahmoud Omidsalar The generous patron of this book on the Shahnameh } CONTENTS Preface ix Acknowledgments xv INTRODUCTION 1 1 THE PERSIAN EPIC 35 2 FERDOWSI THE POET 63 3 THE BOOK OF KINGS 93 4 EPICS AND EMPIRES 139 5 EMPIRES FALL, NATIONS RISE 159 CONCLUSION 189 Notes 229 Index 241 PREFACE