1 page response paper about ALEXANDER the Great And Shahnameh

LECTURE_03_SHAHNAMA.ppt

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HIST 223 MEDIEVAL HEROES: EAST AND WEST

The Shahnama

The so-called “Iranian Intermezzo”

Regarding theSingers of Tales and the Narrators of Stories:

Let it be known that narrating and hearing tales has many advantages

one becomes aware of the condition of the ancients
when one hears of strange and wondrous [things] his eyes are opened unto the divine power
when one hears about the trials and tribulations of the ancients he finds comfort in understanding that no one has been free of the chains of sorrow
When one hears about the perishing of the realm and the riches of the ancient kings, he withdraws his heart from worldly goods and the world [itself], learning that [this world] has never been nor will it ever be faithful to anyone.
he will learn many lessons and gain great experience.

Mulla Husayn-i Kashifi (d. 1504-05)

SOURCE:

Storytellers in Classical Persian TextsAuthor(s): Mahmoud OmidsalarReviewed work(s):Source: The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 97, No. 384 (Apr. - Jun., 1984), pp. 204-212Published by: American Folklore SocietyStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/540185

“It thus is evident that there are benefits in the tales of the ancients.

If they are true, and are narrated with fidelity, then the singer or the narrator and the listener will benefit from them.

And if they are not true

then [their narration] is a sin for the narrator but the listener can still derive his benefit from hearing them.”

Mulla Husayn-i Kashifi (d. 1504-05)

SOURCE:

What does the Persian poet say about the first man to seek the crown of world sovereignty?

No one has any knowledge of those first days, unless he has heard tales passed from father to son. This is what those tales tell...

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935–1020)

Sultan Mahmud of Ghazna

(971-1030)

leaf from the Shahnama of Shah Tahmasp

c.1525

«Composed in the tenth century by the poet Firdowsi, the Shah-nameh or Book of Kings is Iran's central literary work, a historical epic peopled with monarchs—some of inspiring goodness, others of unmatched wickedness—handsome paladins, beautiful maidens, malevolent witches, and treacherous demons.

Containing scores of paintings where other sixteenth-century Shah-nameh manuscripts contain a dozen,

the Houghton Shahnameh

is thought to have been commissioned about 1522 by Shah Isma'il, the founder of the Safavid dynasty, as a present for his son, Prince Tahmasp. Court artists and craftsmen continued their work on the 759 folios for the better part of two decades; as a consequence, the book offers a fascinating mixture of artistic styles.»

myths, legends, and "history" of Iran from the beginning of time to the Arab conquest in the seventh century

begins with the creation of the world

the first shah Kayumars

concludes with the last Sasanian king

Yazdigird III (reigned 632–651)

centered on the reigns of 50 monarchs

enduring institution of monarchy

SOURCE:

EMPHASIS ON

justice

legitimacy

the concept of divine glory

the proper actions of a leader

the struggle between good and evil

the meaning of truth

Integrity

loyalty

SOURCE:

THREE AGES OF THE SHAHNAMA

The mythical age = Pishdadiyan

the early legendary shahs

established civilization

fought against the forces of evil

The heroic age = Kayanids

the principal protagonists of the enmity with Turan

The historical age = Sasanians

the last glorious dynasty to rule a unified Iran before the advent of Islam

SOURCE:

Kaiumers

Hushang

Tahmuras

Jamshid

Zahhak

Faridun

Salm, Tur, Iraj

Minuchihr

Ahriman

the evil principle of the universe

Court of Shah Keyumars, the first mythical king of the world

Folio from an illustrated manuscript of Shahnama

commissioned by the Safavid Shah Tahmasp

16th century

Hushang Kills the Black Demon

Folio from an illustrated manuscript of Shahnama

16th century

“I am lord of the seven climes, supreme over all and obeyed universally. By command of Almighty God I am ready to dispense justice and deal generously with all men.”

Tahmuras Defeats the Divs

Folio from an illustrated manuscript of Shahnama

c. 1525, Tabriz

JAMSHID

“I am endowed with the divine Farr and at the same time both king and priest. I shall stay the hand of the evil-doers from evil, and I shall guide the soul towards light.”

Jamshid’s throne borne by divs

Timurid: Shiraz, c.1435–1440

Cambridge, Fitzwilliam Museum, MS 22-1948, fol. 11v

Jamshid surveyed the world, and saw none there

Whose greatness or whose splendor could compare

With his: and he who had known God became

Ungrateful, proud, forgetful of God's name.

Zahhak enthroned

1446, London, British Library, MS Or. 12688, vol. I, fol. 22r

Faridun

Kaveh the Blacksmith

Graphic Novel by Ramin Abhari

Zahhak Brought as a Prisoner before Faridun

Folio from an illustrated manuscript of Shahnama

Late 15th century, Shiraz

Faridun binds Zahhak

Zahhak pinned to Mount Demavend

Timurid: Shiraz, c.1430

Patron: Ebrahim Soltan b. Shah Rokh

Illuminator: Nasr al-Soltani

Opaque watercolours, ink and gold on paper

Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS Ouseley Add. 176, fol. 30r

Faridun and

Jamshid’s Daughters Arnavaz and Shahrnavaz

“... it is not right for you to be wielding weapons and riding out to war, in the same way that soldiers should not be artisans. Each group should follow its own calling, since if they follow one another’s, the earth is confusion.”

eldest prince = Salm = the Western lands

second prince = Tur = sovereignty over the Turks + the land of China.

youngest prince = Iraj = Persia + lands of the Arabs

Tur Kills Iraj

Folio from an illustrated manuscript of Shahnama

16th century

WAR BETWEEN IRAN AND TURAN

IRAJ

MAH-AFARID (f)

MANUCHEHR

KAI KHUSRAU

TUR

ZADASHM

PASHANG

AFRASIYAB

Iranian and Turanian Armies in Combat

Folio from an illustrated manuscript of Shahnama, 1341

Commissioned by al-Hasan Qawam al-Daula wa'l-Din (ca. 1303–57)

The Night Battle of

Kai Khusrau and Afrasiyab

Folio from an illustrated manuscript of Shahnama

c. 1530, Tabriz

SASANIANS

Sasan

eponymous founding father of the dynasty

Ardashir I (224–242 AD)

founder of the Sasanian Empire

Shahanshah // King of Kings

Ardashir I and the Zoroastrian divinity Ahura Mazda at Naqsh-i Rustam, southern Iran

Sasanian relief depicting the equestrian combat of King Hormizd II

3rd century AD, Persepolis (Takht-e Jamshid), Iran

Plate

Iran, Sasanian period

ca. 300–400 C.E.

Silver and gilt; dia. 24.0 cm

Freer and Sackler Galleries

BEHRAM GUR

Sasanian King of Persia

(420–438)

Bahram Gur Speaks to the Persians About His Qualifications to Be King:

“My noble lords, you know the world’s ways, and you have spoken truly. There are even worse things still unsaid, and it is right that I reproach my father. All this is bitter in my mouth and has darkened my soul.

His palace was my prison, and it was God who saved me; Taynush freed me from his snare.

I fled to Monzer for refuge because the king had never shown me any kindness.

May men never have his nature; if that were to happen, all trace of humanity would disappear.

I thank God that I have wisdom, and that my soul is nourished on wisdom.”

Bahram Gur Speaks to the Persians About His Qualifications to Be King:

I have prayed to God that he guide me, so that I can cleanse men’s souls and hearts of all the evil this king did

I am a God-fearing man

I live for my subjects’ well-being

I shall be a shepherd and my subjects my flock

I will seek only peace and justice

I am magnanimous, cultivated, and careful in my judgments

I am wise and benevolent

Sovereignty passes to me from father to son

On my mother’s side I am descended from King Sherniran

Bahram Gur Speaks to the Persians About His Qualifications to Be King:

I have wisdom, good judgment and greatness

I ride well

I am humane

I am strong

I consider no one my equal in manliness, not in fighting or feasting or any other matter

I have a hidden treasure, which is those illustrious men who are loyal to their sovereign

I will make the world flourish from end to end with justice, and may all of you flourish and live happily!

Bahram Gur Kills 2 Lions to Claim his Crown

Leaf from Five Poems (Quintet)

Khamsa of

Nizami Ganjavi

Bahram Gur Pins the Coupling Onagers

Folio from an illustrated manuscript of Shahnama

c. 1530, Tabriz

"Bahram Gur Slays the Dragon"

Folio from a Shahnama

second half 17th century

Bahram Gur and Azada

Bowl

12th–13th , Iran, Kashan

Plate with a hunting scene from the tale of Bahram Gur and Azada

Sasanian,

ca. 5th century A.D. Iran

Bahram Gur Hunting with Azada

Folio from an illustrated manuscript of Shahnama, 1352, Shiraz

Bahram Gur and Azada

Bowl

12th–13th , Iran

Bahram Gur Slays

the Rhino-Wolf

Bahram Chubina Slays

the Lion-Ape

Bahram Gur, Topkapi Album H.2153; Topkapi Album H.2153

c. 1370, Tabriz

Bahram Gur Advances by against the Khaqan

Folio from an illustrated manuscript of Shahnama

c. 1530, Tabriz

Bahram Gur Advances by Stealth against the Khaqan

Folio from an illustrated manuscript of Shahnama

c. 1530, Tabriz

Kavadh I

Sasanian King of Persia

(488-531)

Mazdak

Zoroastrian priest

ANUSHIRVAN

(Khosrow I, Khosrau I, Chosroes I, Kasra, Anushiruwān)

Sasanian King of Persia

(531–579)

Justinian I

Byzantine Emperor

(527–565)

If women and wealth are in common,

how will a son know his father, or a father his son?

If men are to be equal in the world,

social distinctions will be unclear;

who will want to be a commoner,

how will nobility be recognized?

If a laboring slave and the king are the same,

when a man dies, who is to inherit his goods?

This talk of yours will ruin the world, and such an evil doctrine should not flourish in Iran.

If everyone is a master,

who is he to command?

Everyone will have a treasure,

and who is to be its treasurer?

None of those who established religions have talked in this way.

You have secretly put together a demonic faith;

you are leading everyone to hell,

you don’t see your evil acts for what they are.

Nushirvan Promulgates His Reforms

Folio from an illustrated manuscript

c. 1530, Tabriz

Nushirvan Receives Mihras, Envoy of Caesar

ca. 1300–30

Buzurgmihr Masters the Game of Chess

Folio from an illustrated manuscript of Shahnama, ca. 1300–30