Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
The Shanama, also known as the Book of Kings, is an epic Persian poem written by Ferdowsi in the 10th century. It narrates the mythical and historical past of Iran, including stories of heroes, kings, and battles.
Oral tradition refers to passing down stories, legends, or cultural knowledge through spoken word rather than written texts. It was common before widespread literacy.
Mythology: Mythology refers to a collection of myths or traditional stories that explain beliefs, customs, or natural phenomena within a particular culture or society. Examples include Greek mythology and Norse mythology.