Shahnameh stories | Poetry of time

Noora Pourkashefi

Step into the world of Persia’s greatest legends with Poetry of Time, a narrative podcast that breathes life into Ferdowsi’s timeless masterpiece, the Shahnameh (The Book of Kings). Each episode unravels the myths, heroes, and cosmic battles that have shaped Persian culture for over a thousand years—blending rich storytelling with the lyrical beauty of classical verse.From the rise of mighty kings to the fall of tragic warriors, we journey through love, destiny, and divine intrigue, one spellbinding story at a time. Whether you’re new to the Shahnameh or a lifelong admirer, Poetry of Time invites you to rediscover Persia’s epic soul—where history and myth collide.Subscribe now and wander through the echoes of time support us : https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455549/supportOur website : https://shahnamehpoetryoftime.buzzsprout.com/ Fan mail : https://shahnamehpoetryoftime.buzzsprout.com/2455549/fan_mail

  1. Rostam Reads the Letter, Defies the King, and Sneaks Into Sohrab's Camp — But Does He Know the Truth? | Shahnameh Ep. 34

    May 28

    Rostam Reads the Letter, Defies the King, and Sneaks Into Sohrab's Camp — But Does He Know the Truth? | Shahnameh Ep. 34

    The mystery of the Shahnameh deepens. In this episode of Poetry of Time, a desperate letter reaches Kay Kavus. A fourteen-year-old warrior has appeared at the White Fortress. His arms are like a camel's thigh. His body is like an elephant's. And Gazhdaham whispers a comparison that will echo through the rest of the story: "You would say he is Sam Nariman himself." The king sends Giv to Zabolestan to bring Rostam. "Do not delay," he commands. But Rostam reads the letter — and pours wine instead. For three days, he delays. The king's orders mean nothing to him. When Rostam finally arrives at court, Kay Kavus explodes. "Seize him alive!" Rostam slaps Tus to the ground and storms out. The heroes of Iran are trapped between two angry giants. Only Goodarz — wise, old, clever — can mend the broken knot. He strikes at Rostam's pride. It works. Rostam returns. Kay Kavus apologizes — a king apologizing to his subject, something never seen before. Then — midnight. Rostam puts on a Turanian disguise and sneaks into Sohrab's camp. He sees the young hero sitting on a feast throne. He watches from the shadows. He kills a Turanian warrior with one mace blow. And when he returns, he says: "You would say he is Sam Nariman himself." Once again — the same comparison. Rostam has seen Sohrab with his own eyes. But does he know that this young man is his son? The story does not tell us. And that is the mystery. How will father and son finally meet? That story — next week. Send us Fan Mail Support the show support us : https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455549/support Our website : https://shahnamehpoetryoftime.buzzsprout.com/ Fan mail : https://shahnamehpoetryoftime.buzzsprout.com/2455549/fan_mail

    31 min
  2. Rostam and Sohrab: The Tragedy Begins — A Hero's Grief, a Princess's Secret, a Warrior Woman Who Fought a Giant, and a Son Who Does Not Know His Father | Shahnameh Ep. 33

    May 23

    Rostam and Sohrab: The Tragedy Begins — A Hero's Grief, a Princess's Secret, a Warrior Woman Who Fought a Giant, and a Son Who Does Not Know His Father | Shahnameh Ep. 33

    The most famous tragedy in Persian literature begins. In this episode of Poetry of Time, Rostam wakes at dawn with a heart full of grief. He rides to the border of Turan to hunt — but falls asleep. When he wakes, Rakhsh is gone. Seven Turkic horsemen have taken his horse. On foot, ashamed, the elephant-bodied hero follows the tracks to Samangan. The king welcomes him as a guest. Wine flows. Music plays. Rostam drinks himself to sleep. Then — a candle in the darkness. A princess named Tahmineh enters his chamber. Moon-faced. Silver-bodied. No one has ever seen her face. No one has ever heard her voice. She has heard stories of Rostam —she wanted to be with Rostam. Months later — a child is born. His face shines like the radiant moon. Tahmineh names him Sohrab — "bright-faced." At ten years old, no one in the world dares to test his strength. But Sohrab does not know his father's name. When he demands the truth, his mother whispers: "You are the son of Rostam." But she also says: "Keep it secret." Sohrab refuses. He raises an army. He marches on Iran. Afrasiab secretly plots to let father and son kill each other on the battlefield — then finish off the survivor. At the White Fortress, Sohrab defeats the commander Hojir with one blow. Then a warrior woman — Gordafarid — descends from the walls like a lion. She rains arrows on Sohrab. She tears his armor. He lifts her from the saddle like a polo ball. But she escapes. She tricks him. She rides back to the fortress. And from behind the closed gate, she warns him: "When Rostam comes, not one of your army will remain alive." The first defeat. The first warning. But Sohrab does not listen. How will Rostam learn of the invasion? That story — next week. Send us Fan Mail Support the show support us : https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455549/support Our website : https://shahnamehpoetryoftime.buzzsprout.com/ Fan mail : https://shahnamehpoetryoftime.buzzsprout.com/2455549/fan_mail

    23 min
  3. The Madness of Kay Kavus: A Mansion in the Mountain, a Throne to the Sky | Shahnameh Ep.32

    May 7

    The Madness of Kay Kavus: A Mansion in the Mountain, a Throne to the Sky | Shahnameh Ep.32

    Three strange tales. One reckless king. In this episode of Poetry of Time, Kay Kavus builds a miraculous mansion inside Mount Alborz — where winter never comes and sorrow cannot enter. But that is only the beginning. Whispered lies from a demon disguised as a servant lead the king of Iran into the greatest sin of all: attempting to storm the heavens themselves. Eagles lift his golden throne toward the sun… until they tire. The crash is inevitable. But death does not come. Why? Because God still has a plan for Kay Kavus — a son named Siyavash who has not yet been born. After forty days of weeping and dust on his face, the king repents. But has he lost his divine Farrah forever? Then, in the second half, Rostam and seven Iranian heroes drunkenly cross into Afrasiab’s personal hunting grounds — not for war, but for sport. Thirty thousand Turanians attack at night. Rostam laughs. And a slaughter begins. Send us Fan Mail Support the show support us : https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455549/support Our website : https://shahnamehpoetryoftime.buzzsprout.com/ Fan mail : https://shahnamehpoetryoftime.buzzsprout.com/2455549/fan_mail

    14 min
  4. The Fall of Hamavaran: Kay Kavus Betrayed, Rostam’s Sea-Borne Rescue | Shahnameh Ep. 31

    Feb 13

    The Fall of Hamavaran: Kay Kavus Betrayed, Rostam’s Sea-Borne Rescue | Shahnameh Ep. 31

    In this episode of Poetry of Time, King Kay Kavus’ hunger for conquest leads Iran’s army across the known world—from Turan and China to the mysterious land of Makran, and onward into Barbaristan, where the battlefield darkens the sun itself. Victory comes easily, and submission follows… but triumph breeds carelessness. Crossing the sea to Hamavaran (ancient Yemen), Kay Kavus is ensnared by beauty and deception. A royal marriage becomes a trap. At a feast of wine and music, betrayal strikes—Kay Kavus and Iran’s greatest heroes are captured, and Iran is left leaderless as enemies close in from every side. With Afrasiab invading from Turan and chaos spreading across the empire, only one name is spoken in desperation: Rostam. The champion of Iran rises in fury, condemning betrayal at a banquet as the darkest of crimes. He storms Hamavaran, defeats three allied kings, frees Kay Kavus, and restores order to a fractured realm—just as fate prepares an even greater tragedy to come: the story of Rostam and Sohrab. Send us Fan Mail Support the show support us : https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455549/support Our website : https://shahnamehpoetryoftime.buzzsprout.com/ Fan mail : https://shahnamehpoetryoftime.buzzsprout.com/2455549/fan_mail

    8 min
  5. The White Demon Falls: Rostam’s Bloody Triumph & The King of Stone | Shahnameh Ep. 30

    12/21/2025

    The White Demon Falls: Rostam’s Bloody Triumph & The King of Stone | Shahnameh Ep. 30

    In this episode of Poetry of Time, we reach the bloody conclusion of the War of Mazandaran. Rostam descends into the sun-scorched cave of the White Demon to tear out its liver and restore the sight of the blinded King Kay Kavus. But the war is not over. We follow Rostam’s terrifying diplomatic mission—where he uproots trees and crushes hands—leading to the final showdown against the Sorcerer King of Mazandaran, who desperately turns himself into stone to escape vengeance. We also explore the deep symbolism of the White Demon as a "father figure" and Rostam's transition into total independence. Send us Fan Mail Support the show support us : https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455549/support Our website : https://shahnamehpoetryoftime.buzzsprout.com/ Fan mail : https://shahnamehpoetryoftime.buzzsprout.com/2455549/fan_mail

    11 min
  6. The White Demon Awaits: Rostam’s Seventh Trial Setup in Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh

    11/25/2025

    The White Demon Awaits: Rostam’s Seventh Trial Setup in Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh

    In this  episode of Poetry of Time, we retell all Seven Trials of Rostam in full detail — from the lion in the reeds to the final battle with the White Demon. This story stands apart in the Shahnameh: dreamlike, surreal, filled with speaking beasts and sorcery. We also explain why “seven trials” does not mean “seven tests,” but seven waystations where destiny awaited the hero. Send us Fan Mail Support the show support us : https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455549/support Our website : https://shahnamehpoetryoftime.buzzsprout.com/ Fan mail : https://shahnamehpoetryoftime.buzzsprout.com/2455549/fan_mail

    10 min
  7. The War with Mazandaran Begins — Key Kavous’s Pride and the Demon’s Song | Poetry of Time

    11/09/2025

    The War with Mazandaran Begins — Key Kavous’s Pride and the Demon’s Song | Poetry of Time

    After King Key Qobad’s death, his son Key Kavous ascends the throne — proud and restless. A demon disguised as a musician sings of Mazandaran’s beauty, luring the young king to invade the land of demons. Ignoring Zal’s warnings, Kavous marches into ruin, and only Rostam can now restore Iran’s fate. Send us Fan Mail Support the show support us : https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455549/support Our website : https://shahnamehpoetryoftime.buzzsprout.com/ Fan mail : https://shahnamehpoetryoftime.buzzsprout.com/2455549/fan_mail

    11 min
  8. Rostam’s First Battle and the Peace of Kay Qobad — The Birth of a Legend | Shahnameh

    10/24/2025

    Rostam’s First Battle and the Peace of Kay Qobad — The Birth of a Legend | Shahnameh

    In this episode of Poetry of Time, we witness Rostam’s fiery debut in battle against Afrasiab and the dawn of the Kayanian age under King Kay Qobad. From the clash of black and golden banners to the first uneasy peace between Iran and Turan, Ferdowsi’s verses blaze with youth, wisdom, and destiny. A new era begins — and the next will test its light. Send us Fan Mail Support the show support us : https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455549/support Our website : https://shahnamehpoetryoftime.buzzsprout.com/ Fan mail : https://shahnamehpoetryoftime.buzzsprout.com/2455549/fan_mail

    8 min
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About

Step into the world of Persia’s greatest legends with Poetry of Time, a narrative podcast that breathes life into Ferdowsi’s timeless masterpiece, the Shahnameh (The Book of Kings). Each episode unravels the myths, heroes, and cosmic battles that have shaped Persian culture for over a thousand years—blending rich storytelling with the lyrical beauty of classical verse.From the rise of mighty kings to the fall of tragic warriors, we journey through love, destiny, and divine intrigue, one spellbinding story at a time. Whether you’re new to the Shahnameh or a lifelong admirer, Poetry of Time invites you to rediscover Persia’s epic soul—where history and myth collide.Subscribe now and wander through the echoes of time support us : https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455549/supportOur website : https://shahnamehpoetryoftime.buzzsprout.com/ Fan mail : https://shahnamehpoetryoftime.buzzsprout.com/2455549/fan_mail

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