The Epic of Kings

"The houses that are the dwelling of today will sink beneath shower and sunshine to decay but storm and rain shall never mar the palace that I have built with my poetry." —Ferdowsi

The Shahnameh, The Epic of Kings, is an epic composed by the Iranian poet Ferdowsi. It tells mainly the mythical and to some extent the historical past of the Persian Empire from the creation of the world until the Arab conquest of Iran in the 7th century. The Shahnameh is commonly divided into three sections: myths, legends and history. Its diversity, complexity and profoundness, the timeless themes of power, love and fidelity, together make The Epic of King one of the most compelling and memorable works of world literature.

This book has entertained generations of readers and profoundly shaped Persian culture, society, and politics.