Ethics of War and Peace in the Shahnameh of Ferdowsi

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the ethics of war and peace in the most important and normatively influential work of epic literature known in the eastern lands of Islam, namely the Shahnameh of Ferdowsi (d. 1020 CE). As one of the greatest sources of the Iranian cultural identity for over a millennium, Shahnameh (lit. The book of kings) defines normative ideals in the ethics of war and peace within narratives that connect the ancient history of Iran to its mythical eras and in effect to both the medieval time of the epic's authorship and modern Iranian identity. By identifying limits, standards and legitimacy for war and peace in Shahnameh, this article aims to facilitate an Iranian contribution to the global literature and practice on peacemaking that has deep roots in the Islamo-Persian tradition.

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Publication Date

11-2-2015

Publication Title

Iranian Studies

Department

Religion

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00210862.2014.920663

Language

English

Format

text

Link to Full Text

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