Mythological Aspects of the Shahnameh in the Historical Section (From the Reign of Alexander to the Arab Invasion)

Abstract

The national epic of Iran, the Shahnameh, is the most monumental and identity-defining work for the people of Iran from ancient times to the present, holding a particularly significant place in the field of mythological studies. What renders the Shahnameh enduring and immortal—more than any other major mythological work—is that traces of myth can be found throughout all of its narratives, including the historical section. This claim is substantiated by the observable presence of mythological elements across various events in the historical accounts of the Shahnameh. The aim of this study is to explore the mythological traces and the marvelous, extraordinary occurrences found in the historical part of the Shahnameh by examining selected stories from this section. The significance of Ferdowsi’s method of engaging with historical events becomes more apparent when we recognize that the sub-narratives concerning the lives and reigns of historical figures in the third part of the Shahnameh are, in some cases, presented as hyperrealities rather than pure historical facts. This study, which employs a descriptive-analytical method based on library data and document analysis, will demonstrate that the Master of Tus, particularly in recounting sub-narratives in the historical section of the Shahnameh, significantly employed mythological approaches in the narration of historical events.