Shahnameh Quest
- Episodes
- 81
- Released
- weekly
- Latest episode
- Nov 8, 2026
About the podcast
Hosted by Arsalan Akhavan, Shahnameh Quest is a journey through the Persian Book of Kings, one story at a time. Featuring accessible retellings in English, with occasional commentary and bonus episodes.
Episodes 81
Commentary: Why Must Rostam Endure the Seven Trials?
Arsalan reflects on the deeper thematic meaning of Rostam's Seven Trials, exploring how Kay Kavus's foolishness sets the stage for a journey of duty, sacrifice, and faith, and how Rostam's trials …
Show notes
Arsalan reflects on the deeper thematic meaning of Rostam's Seven Trials, exploring how Kay Kavus's foolishness sets the stage for a journey of duty, sacrifice, and faith, and how Rostam's trials connect to the Shahnameh's broader moral themes.
Rostam's Fourth Trial: The Witch
Arsalan retells Rostam's dramatic encounter with a mysterious woman in a lush desert oasis, where a peaceful moment of pleasure and song takes an unexpectedly sinister turn once her true identity is revealed.
Rostam's Third Trial: The Dragon
Arsalan retells Rostam’s third trial, when the Iranian hero and his mighty steed, Rakhsh, face a terrifying fire-breathing dragon in the dark desert.
Rostam's Second Trial: The Desert
Arsalan retells Rostam’s second trial, in which a mysterious ram leads the Iranian hero and his horse from the brink of death to water in a scorching desert.
Rostam's First Trial: The Lion
Arsalan retells the dramatic encounter between Rostam’s horse Rakhsh and the ferocious lion who caught Rostam sleeping in its lair, in the first of the hero’s seven trials.
Prelude: Rostam's Seven Trials
Arsalan retells how Kay Kavus's foolish invasion of Mazandaran forces Zal to send Rostam out to undertake his Seven Trials and rescue the blinded Iranian king.
Kay Kavus's Invasion & the White Deev's Retaliation
Arsalan retells the slaughter of Mazandaran by the Iranian army led by Kay Kavus, and the ruthless retaliation by the White Deev to punish Kay Kavus for his foolish invasion attempt.
Zal's Wisdom Meets Kay Kavus's Pride
Arsalan retells the tense exchange between Zal of Zabolistan and Kay Kavus over the wisdom of attacking Mazandaran, the land of the divs, as Zal's counsel clashes with the king's pride.
The Musician of Mazandaran
Arsalan retells the mysterious visit of the Musician of Mazandaran, whose song to Kay Kavus compels the Iranian king to invade the land of the deevs.
Ferdowsi's Prelude to Kay Kavus's Reign
Arsalan retells Ferdowsi’s prelude to the reign of Kay Kavus, and the ominous early moments of the new king’s reign, when a strange-looking musician from Mazandaran approaches to play a song about his homeland.
Kay Qobad’s Final Warning to Kay Kavus
Arsalan retells the final days of Kay Qobad’s reign, culminating in a stern warning to his eldest son and successor to the throne, Kay Kavus, about the dangers of allowing desire to corrupt the mind.
Kay Qobad Chooses Peace
Arsalan retells the celebrations led by Kay Qobad and the great rewards he bestows upon Iran’s heroes and warriors following King Pashang of Turan’s total surrender.
Afrasiyab Begs for Peace
Arsalan retells the dramatic appeal Afrasiyab makes to his father, King Pashang of Turan, begging him to make peace with the Iranians and prevent Rostam’s unstoppable wrath.
Commentary: A Shocking Defeat
Arsalan reflects on the human impact of Rostam’s defeat of Afrasiyab and prepares listeners to experience its aftermath from the Turanian perspective.
Battle: Rostam vs. Afrasiyab
Arsalan retells the dramatic first clash between Rostam and Afrasiyab, and how the Iranian hero leads Iran to victory, sending the invading army into a crushing, humiliating retreat.
Kay Qobad Prepares Iran for Battle
Arsalan retells Kay Qobad’s mobilization of the Iranian army to confront the Turanian invaders, and how Rostam prepares for his first one-on-one combat with Prince Afrasiyab of Turan.
Commentary: Changing Dynasties
Arsalan marks the transition from the Pishdadian dynasty to the Kayanian dynasty, explaining what the title "Kay" means for the names of upcoming kings, and how this new era bridges the Shahnameh's Heroic …
Show notes
Arsalan marks the transition from the Pishdadian dynasty to the Kayanian dynasty, explaining what the title "Kay" means for the names of upcoming kings, and how this new era bridges the Shahnameh's Heroic Age with its eventual Historical Age.
Rostam Seeks Kay Qobad
Arsalan retells the story of Rostam's quest to find Kay Qobad, a descendant of the great king Fereydoun, and bring him home to become the new king of Iran. Along the way, Rostam battles the Turanian army …
Show notes
Arsalan retells the story of Rostam's quest to find Kay Qobad, a descendant of the great king Fereydoun, and bring him home to become the new king of Iran. Along the way, Rostam battles the Turanian army and their fierce commander, Qalun.
Zal Calls for a New King
Arsalan retells Zal’s first command to Rostam: journey to Mount Alborz and bring back Qobad of the Kayanian Dynasty as Iran’s chosen king to lead the war against Turan.
Rostam’s Horse Rakhsh
Arsalan retells the origin story of how Rostam meets and lassoes his legendary steed Rakhsh, one of the most iconic partnerships in all of world mythology.
Garshasp Enthroned, Afrasiyab Disowned, Rostam Summoned
Arsalan retells the peaceful reign of King Garshasp, the bitter estrangement between Afrasiyab and his father King Pashang of Turan, and the summoning of Rostam to defend Iran against a renewed Turanian invasion.
Spotlight: Qaran, Son of Kaveh the Blacksmith
Arsalan shines a spotlight on Qaran, the fierce and loyal warrior who has defended Iran from invaders and honourably carried forward the legacy of his father, Kaveh the Blacksmith.
Commentary: The Pishdadian Dynasty
Arsalan marks the approaching end of the Pishdadian dynasty, reflecting on the significance of the Shahnameh's first lineage of kings and the transition that lies ahead.
King Zaav & the Famine That Ended a War
Arsalan retells King Zaav's brief reign and how a devastating famine unites the warring sides behind a common cause for peace, bringing about the conclusion to the first Turanian invasion of Iran.
The Election of King Zaav
Arsalan retells how Zal and Qaran seek out and elect Zaav, an Iranian elder, as the nation's new king to succeed the fallen King Nowzar, even as Afrasiyab of Turan still occupies the throne.
Afrasiyab Takes the Iranian Throne
Arsalan retells the crisis of leadership facing Iranians after Afrasiyab murders King Nowzar and seizes the Iranian throne.
Aghriras the Merciful
Arsalan retells the tale of Aghriras, the brother of Afrasiyab who defies his own nation to save 1200 Iranian nobles from execution and pays the ultimate price for his mercy.
Celebrating 1 Year of Shahnameh Quest
Arsalan marks the first anniversary of Shahnameh Quest with a personal message, thanking listeners for being part of the journey.
Commentary: Ferdowsi's Warning on Greed and Power
Arsalan discusses Ferdowsi's thoughts on greed, power, and ambition in the wake of King Nowzar's execution by Afrasiyab and the end of Fereydoun's line .
King Nowzar's Doom
Arsalan retells the tragic ultimate fate of King Nowzar of Iran at the hands of the menacing Prince Afrasiyab of Turan.
These are the latest 40 of 81 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.
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