Epic of Kings: Stories Retold from Firdusi cover art

Epic of Kings: Stories Retold from Firdusi

Epic of Kings: Stories Retold from Firdusi

By: Abul-Qâsem Ferdowsi Tusi
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The Shahnameh (The Book of Kings) is a monumental poem composed around 1000 C.E. by the Persian poet Ferdowsi. It narrates the exploits of mythical kings and heroes of ancient Persia as well as historical episodes from the Sasanian era. It is regarded as the national epic of Iran and its stories were once well known wherever Persian poetry was read, from Central Asia to Anatolia and from India to the Caucasus. Helen Zimmern's version retells some of the best-known legends of the Shahnameh in English prose. She writes: "With a view to reproduce the naïve archaic character of the original, I have ventured to write my stories in the simple language of the age of Shakespeare and the English Bible, in order that by thus removing them from everyday speed, to remove them from the atmosphere of to-day."- Summary by KazbekCopyright Early Modern Genre Art Christianity Literary History & Criticism Spirituality
Episodes
  • Epic of Kings Stories Retold from Firdusi - Abul-Qasem Ferdowsi Tusi - Part 2

    Epic of Kings Stories Retold from Firdusi - Abul-Qasem Ferdowsi Tusi - Part 2
    May 21 2026
    The Shahnameh (The Book of Kings) is a monumental poem composed around 1000 C.E. by the Persian poet Ferdowsi. It narrates the exploits of mythical kings and heroes of ancient Persia as well as historical episodes from the Sasanian era. It is regarded as the national epic of Iran and its stories were once well known wherever Persian poetry was read, from Central Asia to Anatolia and from India to the Caucasus. Helen Zimmern's version retells some of the best-known legends of the Shahnameh in English prose. She writes: "With a view to reproduce the naïve archaic character of the original, I have ventured to write my stories in the simple language of the age of Shakespeare and the English Bible, in order that by thus removing them from everyday speed, to remove them from the atmosphere of to-day."- Summary by Kazbek
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    12 mins
  • Epic of Kings Stories Retold from Firdusi - Abul-Qasem Ferdowsi Tusi - Part 1

    Epic of Kings Stories Retold from Firdusi - Abul-Qasem Ferdowsi Tusi - Part 1
    May 20 2026
    The Shahnameh (The Book of Kings) is a monumental poem composed around 1000 C.E. by the Persian poet Ferdowsi. It narrates the exploits of mythical kings and heroes of ancient Persia as well as historical episodes from the Sasanian era. It is regarded as the national epic of Iran and its stories were once well known wherever Persian poetry was read, from Central Asia to Anatolia and from India to the Caucasus. Helen Zimmern's version retells some of the best-known legends of the Shahnameh in English prose. She writes: "With a view to reproduce the naïve archaic character of the original, I have ventured to write my stories in the simple language of the age of Shakespeare and the English Bible, in order that by thus removing them from everyday speed, to remove them from the atmosphere of to-day."- Summary by Kazbek
    Show More Show Less
    9 hrs and 55 mins
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