Part 2: Historical Traditions

Prepare to be transported into the thunderous sweep of Persian history. This section of Shahnameh (Chapters 16-27 in Shahnameh: The Epic of the Persian Kings) moves from myth to history, chronicling the dramatic rise of the Sassanian dynasty and its eventual fall. Through masterful storytelling, the epic brings to life royal ambition, political intrigue, heroic resistance, and cultural transformation—culminating in the Arab conquest of Iran in the seventh century. Performed by award-winning voice actor Marc Thompson, this performative audiobook places you at the heart of the action. It follows the chronological narrative from the ascent of the Sassanian kings to the closing chapters of ancient Iran’s imperial age. Listen to Part I: Epic and Mythological Traditions (Chapters 1-15 in Shahnameh: The Epic of the Persian Kings) on Audible.

About: A fresh, lyrical new translation of Persia’s founding epic. Abu al-Qasem Ferdowsi (940–1020 CE), one of Iran’s greatest poets, composed the ancient legends of the Persian Book of Kings (Shahnameh) in verse over one thousand years ago. It is the longest poem written by a single poet. A combination of myth and history told over 50,000 elegant couplets, Ferdowsi dedicated 33 years of his life to writing the Shahnameh and intended it to protect Persian collective memory and its language amid a turbulent sea of cultural storms. This celebrated work traces the storied history of the Iranian people, beginning with the origin myths of civilization and ending with the Arab Conquest of Iran in the seventh century. Featuring a preface by editor and Guggenheim fellow Hamid Rahmanian and an introduction by Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones, chair of ancient history at Cardiff University, this lush translation by Ahmad Sadri renders the tale in highly accessible yet atmospheric prose for contemporary audiences.

Published by Liveright. Distributed by W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN: 978-1324093800