SHAHNAMEH
May 31st 2009 16:35
SHAHNAMEH
Shahnameh is the great Persian or Farsi epic about legendary Pre-Islamic rulers.
Is it worth reading in translation? I read Dick Davis' translation (Penguin 2006) which omits some sections and translated the original poetry into prose. Should you?
YES!
But be prepared to skim over certain passages. Ferdowsi or Firdausi is partial to inserting long lectures on how to be a good ruler obviously meant for his contemporaries. It is also a VERY LONG work. Presever if you can get or borrow a copy to read as this work includes many stories that are the basis for Persian paintings and legends mentioned in Khayyam's Rubiayat.
It's the kind of epic you may want to read only once or twice but if you are a student of the Farsi language and related literatures or of Persian and Mughal art you should read this!
Enjoy!
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