Sunday, October 30 – 2:30 pm

Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh

Walker Talks!
Expository explorations on
literary, mythological & historical themes

Walker Brents III can always be relied on to entertain and edify as he muses on topics of timeless interest — in this instance, the Shahnameh.  Composed by the 10th century Persian poet Ferdowsi, the Shanameh recounts the history of Iran, beginning with the creation of the world and the introduction of the arts of civilization (fire, cooking, metallurgy, law) to the Aryans and ends with the Arab conquest of Persia. Though not precisely chronological, there is a general movement through time in the poem. Some characters live for hundreds of years, but most have normal life spans. There are many shāhs who come and go, as well as heroes and villains, who also come and go. The only lasting images are that of Greater Iran itself, and a succession of sunrises and sunsets, no two ever exactly alike, yet illustrative of the passage of time.