The Shahname, or Epic of the Kings, which contains approximately 50,000 verses, was composed by Hakim Abul Ghasem Ferdowsi. Ferdowsi, from Tus in what is today the northeastern part of Iran, wrote this work as a history of Persia from the first human societies to the conquest of the land by Muslim Arabs in the 7th century C.E.

This work contains a mixture of history and legend, and was completed in the early 11th century C.E.. The work continues to serve as the first example of the developing Persian language, as it adapted to powerful Arabic influences, and as a work of national importance to the country of Iran referencing, as it does, the pre-Islamic history of Persia.

This translation is an abridgement of the original work.

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Instructions: To view or download this book in PDF format, simply click on the cover image above.

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