Amir Arsalan

Amir Arsalan-e Namdar (Persian: امیر ارسلان نامدار‎‎) is a popular Persian epic, which was told to Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar, the Qajar Shah of Persia in the 19th century (though the Persian legend itself is much older), by a storyteller named Mohammad Ali Naqib al-Mamalek (Persian: میرزا محمدعلی نقیب‌الممالک‎‎). Mohammad never transcribed the poem himself, but the daughter of the Shah—who also loved the story—eventually transcribed it and preserved it for history.

Plot

The epic narrates the adventures of its protagonist, Arsalan. The story begins with the Banu (lady) of Roum (also known as Constantinople, or Istanbul). Roum was conquered by European invaders, and its pregnant Banu (lady) forced to flee for her life. She becomes wedded to an Egyptian merchant and gives birth to her child, Arsalan. The merchant claims the child as his own. Eventually, of course, Arsalan learns of his royal origins and takes it in his mind to reclaim his throne.

Adaptations

A modified version has been the main theme of the Japanese novel and anime series, The Heroic Legend of Arslan.

This story was adapted as a screen play by Shapor Yasami in 1954, main actor was the Iranian actor Iloosh Khooshabeh (known as Rod Flash and Richard Lloyd in the west). The story was adapted into another script by Dr. Esmaeel Koushan on 1965; this time the role of Arsalan was played by Mohammad Ali Fardin. The result was a very successful musical film.

See also

• Arslan
• Shamshir-e Zomorrodnegar
• Fulad-zereh
• Cup of Jamshid
• The Heroic Legend of Arslan

External links

• Encyclopedia Iranica, Amir Arsalan
• (Persian) Online PDF text of Amir Arsalan
• About the original storybook