Table of Contents
Scope and Contents of the Collection
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Overview of the Collection |
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| Title: | Shahnameh Manuscript Fragment |
| Inclusive Dates: | 17th century? |
| Quantity: | partial volume, 44 leaves |
| Abstract: | 44 leaves of the Shahnameh, "The Book of Kings," considered the national epic of Greater Iran |
| Language: | Persian |
| Repository: |
Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries 222 Waverly Avenue Syracuse, NY 13244-2010 https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center |
Biographical History
The Shanahmeh, or "Book of Kings," is an epic poem of over 50,000 couplets, written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi between about 977 and 1010 CE. It is mostly derived from a Pahlavi (Middle Persian) work, known as the Khwadāy-Nāmag "Book of Kings," with added material from other sources and from Ferdowsi himself. The work consists of tales of the kings and heroes of Persia from mythical times down to the middle of the seventh century. It represents an effort to preserve the pre-Islamic mythology and national history of the area now known as Iran.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The Shahnameh Manuscript Fragment consists of 44 leaves of the Shanahmeh, or "Book of Kings." The leaves are a mixture of text and miniatures. In most cases the text is laid out in four regular columns, though there are a few pages where the text is written in diagonal diamond-shaped pattern. The illuminations, which range from half-page to full-page, are richly colored and detailed; some have gold-leaf decorations. Of particular interest is one depicting the mother of Rostam recovering from his birth, which was the first documented instance of a caesarean.
Other Related Finding Aids
A spreadsheet detailing the contents of each leaf, including chapter and verse, is also available.
Restrictions
Access Restrictions
The majority of our archival and manuscript collections are housed offsite and require advance notice for retrieval. Researchers are encouraged to contact us in advance concerning the collection material they wish to access for their research.
Use Restrictions
Written permission must be obtained from SCRC and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.
Subject Headings
Persons
Subjects
Places
Genres and Forms
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Shahnameh Manuscript Fragment,
Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries
Acquisition Information
Unknown.
Finding Aid Information
Created by: Michele Combs
Date: 6 Dec 2024
Revision history:
Inventory
| Shahnameh manuscript, partial | |||||||||||
| Box 1 | Leaves 1-44 - [additional description to come] | ||||||||||