Shahnameh Iran Flag Maps

Instructions

Click space or click mouse to change map. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: What is the Shahnameh? A: The Shahnameh (Book of Kings) is the national epic of Greater Iran. Started by Daqiqi and famously continued by Ferdowsi from 977 until completion in 1010 (took 33 years to make), it is also one of the world's longest poems. The hero Rostam is perhaps its most famous character. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Who is Keyumars? A: Keyumars was the first shah (king) of Iran in the Shahnameh, ruling from the creation of the world (Year 0) until 30 years later (30 years after Keyumars). From this point, the de facto time units used to show years is "After Keyumars". ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Why am I seeing the Derafsh Kaviani in this project? A: According to legend that the Shahnameh much later adopted as canon, the Derafsh Kaviani has its origins as the metallic flag representing a rebellion against Zahhak (the ruthless fifth shah). This revolt was started by Kaveh the Blacksmith, who crafted the flag and helped replace Zahhak with the rightful shah Fereydun (another leader of the revolt who is remembered as being a just king after it). The Sassanids used the Derafsh Kaviani as their banner because, by that point, it was a symbol of Iranian culture. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Who were the Kayanians? A: All the initial shahs (Keyumars, Fereydun, and more like Hushang, Jamshid, or Manuchehr) were (except for Zahhak) from the Pishdadian dynasty. The Kayanians were a branch (or were branches, sources vary) of Pishdadians who ruled after the fall of the them. A Kayanian shah was signified by the "Kay" honorific in front of the name (for example: Kay Qavad). The Kayanian dynasty ruled from the fall of the Pishdadians to the end of the legendary portion of the Shahnameh. Examples of Kayanian rulers included Kay Qavad, Kay Kavus, Kay Khosrow, Kay Bahman, and - the last legendary shah - Kay Dara II.

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