Notes
1 See, for instance, Djalal Khaleghi Motlagh, 1983, pp. 553-559. In his discussion of Asadi's Garshaspname, Khaleghi points out that both Firdowsi and Asadi drew on the same or similar sources for their introductory remarks, especially in relation to the roles of Yazdan and knowledge (xirad) in creation. See also Mahmadaminov's "Abu al-Qasim Firdowsi in Sadriddin Aini's Investigation," in "Part Two" of the present volume.1
2 Warner, vol. I, p. 100.2
3 Warner, vol. I, p. 102.3
4 Same as Qayomart, the cosmic man.4
5 For a study of Gayomart and the myths related to him, see Yarshater, 1983, pp. 416-420. Same as Gayomart. The British spelling and the spelling of names in the Warner translation may differ somewhat from those in the narrative.5
6 Warner, vol. I, pp. 118-119.6
7 For a discussion of the "first man" and "first king" attributed to Hushang, Tahmuras, and Gayomart, See Yarshater, 1983, pp. 420-422.7
8 Warner, vol. I, p. 126.8
9 Warner, vol. I, p. 127.9
10 Warner, vol. I, p. 131.10
11 For a discussion of the four classes, see Darmesteter, vol. I, pp. xxxii-xxxiii. See also Yarshater, 1983, pp. 397-398, for the mu'bad's steadfast stand on keeping the hierarchy intact; see, 'Abbas, 1970, pp. 78-80.11
12 Warner, vol. I, pp. 132-133.12
13 Warner, vol. I, pp. 133-134.13
14 Warner, vol. I, p. 133.14
15 Warner, vol. I, p. 135.15
16 Warner, vol. I, p. 139.16
17 For a discussion of the development of the myths related to Azi Dahaka (Zahhak) and of the demon's eastern origins, see Yarshater, 1983, pp. 426-427. Firdowsi's version, which places Zahhak's origin in Babylonia, is a relatively new develop ment. See also Eslami-Nodushan, 1985, pp. 131-148.17
18 For a discussion of Fereydun, his rise to power, and his harnessing of Zahhak, see Eslami-Nodushan, 1985, pp. 149-172.18
19 The land attributed to Salm is variously reported to be the European lands, the Semitic lands, or as Marquart understands it, the lands between the Aral Sea and the river Volga, i. e., western Central Asia. Salm's subjects are generally regarded to be uncivilized. Some consider the Medes among Salm's people. See Dehkhoda, Letter Sin. See also Yarshater, 1983, pp. 428-429.19
20 Turan as opposed to Turkistan is the region geographically referred to as Dehistan and Iranshahr. Turan borders Tukharistan and Chitral in the south, Khwarazm and the Qibchaq Plain in the north, the Caspian Sea and Khurasan to the west and the greater Turkistan and Mongolia to the east. Arab geographers refer to it as Mawara al-Nahr (what rests beyond the river Amu Darya). The Greeks knew it as Transoxania. See Dehkhoda, Letter Te.20
21 Warner, vol. I, p. 217.21
22 Warner, vol. II, p. 19.22
23 Tus and Gustaham are the sons of King Nawzar. Tus, a wayward champion, is not endowed with the kingly farr. We find him frequently at odds with the royal house and with the house of Gudarz. The latter is a staunch sup porter of Kaykhusrau who wins the kingly glory in a contest against Tus.23
24 Giv, the son of Gudarz, is one of the most loved heroes of the epic. He is credited with finding and bringing Kaykhusrau from Turan to grace the Iranian throne. For a detailed study of the house of Gudarz and its relation to the Parthian dynasty, see Yarshater, 1983, pp. 457-461.24
25 See, A. Ahrarov's "Epic on the Screen," in "Part Two" of the present volume.25
26 Same as Fereydun.26
27 Same as Garsivaz.27
28 Warner, vol. II, p. 195.28
29 The name Rustam is listed neither among the Kavis of the Avesta, nor among lesser personages like Tusa and the sons of Vaeska. He might be a figment of Firdowsi's imagination, a replacement for a Kavi otherwise not mentioned, or a hero of the Sakian tribes immortalized in the Sistan chroni cles. For Sam and his son, Zal, and the Sakian genesis of the east ern house, see Yarshater, 1983, pp. 453-457. See also Eslami-Nodushan, 1985, pp. 291-389.29
30 The story of Siyavosh also appears in Nizam al-Mulk's Siyasatname (Book of Government), where the Wazir discusses the shortcomings of allowing women of the court to participate in the affairs of State. See Darke, 1962, pp. 242-245. For the role of women in the epic, see Eslami-Nodushan, 1985, pp. 119-128.30
31 Warner, vol. II, p. 201.31
32 Warner, vol. II, p. 203.32
33 Warner, vol. II, p. 207.33
34 Warner, vol. II, p. 208.34
35 Warner, vol. II, p. 212.35
36 Warner, vol. II, p. 220.36
37 Warner, vol. II, p. 225.37
38 According to the Hodud al-'Alam, Marvrud was a "pleasant and prosperous town situated at the foot of a mountain. It abounded in fruit, and the river of Merv skirted it (bar karan)," p. 105. Marvrud was also on the highway (shahrah) that passed Fariyab and Shapurgan (now Shabirqun) to Balkh, Hodud, p. 39.38
39 A survey of the literature on Taliqan reveals three locations: Taliqan of Ray, Taliqan of Tukharistan, near Qunduz, and Taliqan of Khurasan or, more pre cisely, of Juzjanan. This latter seems to be the one meant by Firdowsi. It was three days journey from Marvrud in the direction of Balkh. The town fell to Chingiz Khan after a seven-month siege in 617 A.H. and was razed. It was never rebuilt. See Mir Abul Ghasemi, 1970, pp. 5-25. See also LeStrange, 1977, pp. 423-32.39
40 Quotations in the body of the text are the present author's renditions of long passages in the original text. They will not be marked for reference.40
41 Warner, vol. II, p. 236.41
42 Warner, vol. II, p. 237.42
43 Warner, vol. II, p. 241.43
44 Warner, vol. II, pp. 242-243.44
45 Warner, vol. II, p. 244.45
46 Warner, vol. II, p. 248.46
47 Warner, vol. II, pp. 248-249.47
48 Warner, vol. II, pp. 249-250.48
49 For the significance of covenant as explained in the Mihr Yasht, see Gershevitch, 1967, pp. 42.49
50 Warner, vol. II, p. 250.50
51 Warner, vol. II, p. 250.51
52 Warner, vol. II, p. 252.52
53 Warner, vol. II, p. 255.53
54 Warner, vol. II, p. 255.54
55 Warner, vol. II, p. 258.55
56 Warner, vol. II, p. 258.56
57 Warner, vol. II, p. 260.57
58 Warner, vol. II, p. 263.58
59 Warner, vol. II, p. 264.59
60 Warner, vol. II, p. 268.60
61 Warner, vol. II, pp. 273-274.61
62 Warner, vol. II, p. 276.62
63 Warner, vol. II, pp. 277-278.63
64 Warner [amended] , vol. II, p. 285.64
65 Warner, vol. II, pp. 296-297.65
66 Warner, vol. II, p. 307.66
67 Warner, vol. II, p. 310.67
68 Warner, vol. II, p. 311.68
69 Warner, vol. II, p. 312.69
70 Warner, vol. II, p. 315.70
71 Warner, vol. II, pp. 316-317.71
72 Warner, vol. II, p. 317.72
73 Warner, vol. II, p. 318.73
74 For further study of the life of Siyavosh, see Eslami-Nodushan, 1985, pp. 173-224.74
75 Warner, vol. II, p. 321.75
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