Shahnameh

High school (ages 12+)
Art & Creativity

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/shahnameh

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. Who wrote Shahnameh?Abolqasem Ferdowsi
2. What is the approximate composition period?c. 977 CE - 1010 CE
3. What is the estimated verse count?50,000-60,000 verses
4. What is the Shahnameh and why is it special?The Shahnameh is a giant storybook called the "Book of Kings" that tells tales of heroes, dragons, and ancient kings. It is the biggest epic poem in Persian literature and keeps those stories alive for everyone.
5. What are the three parts of the Shahnameh?The book is divided into the mythical age, the heroic age with the hero Rostam, and the historical age that tells about real Persian kings.

Epic Poetry: A genre of poetry that recounts the deeds of a heroic or legendary figure or the history of a nation.
Farsi (Persian): The language in which the Shahnameh is written, a key element in its cultural preservation.
Mythical Age: The earliest part of the Shahnameh's narrative, dealing with creation and legendary beginnings.
Heroic Age: The section of the Shahnameh most famously featuring the warrior Rostam and his legendary exploits.