نمايشگاه شاهنامه در موزه اسميتسونین واشينگتن

On October 23, the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., will celebrate the millennial anniversary of the Persian epic poem "The Shahnameh" or "Book of Kings" with an exhibit of 19 rare watercolors, along with two copies of the book and various metal artifacts depicting characters. "Feridun Strikes Zahak With The Ox-Headed Mace," Tabriz, Iran, circa 1525, from "The Shahnameh" (Book of Kings) by Firdawsi Photos courtesy of the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C.

1 On October 23, the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., will celebrate the millennial anniversary of the Persian epic poem "The Shahnameh" or "Book of Kings" with an exhibit of 19 rare watercolors, along with two copies of the book and various metal artifacts depicting characters.

"Feridun Strikes Zahak With The Ox-Headed Mace," Tabriz, Iran, circa 1525, from "The Shahnameh" (Book of Kings) by Firdawsi

Photos courtesy of the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C.

The evil King Kay Kavus before he is saved from demons by the epic's hero, Rustam. "Kay Kavus Chained In A Grotto," Qazvin, Iran, circa 1576-1577, from "The Shahnameh" (Book of Kings) by Firdawsi Photos courtesy of the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C.

2 The evil King Kay Kavus before he is saved from demons by the epic's hero, Rustam.

"Kay Kavus Chained In A Grotto," Qazvin, Iran, circa 1576-1577, from "The Shahnameh" (Book of Kings) by Firdawsi

Photos courtesy of the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C.

The opulent court of King Jamshid, who, as the legend has it, ruled for 700 years. "The Court Of Jamshid," Tabriz, Iran, circa 1520s, from "The Shahnameh" (Book of Kings) by Firdawsi Photos courtesy of the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C.

3 The opulent court of King Jamshid, who, as the legend has it, ruled for 700 years.

"The Court Of Jamshid," Tabriz, Iran, circa 1520s, from "The Shahnameh" (Book of Kings) by Firdawsi

Photos courtesy of the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C.

In 1994, Iran traded a Willem de Kooning nude for hundreds of pages of the prized 16th-century copy of "The Shahnameh," pages of which are on display in the exhibit. "Battle Between Zanga And Awkhast," Gilan, Iran, 1493-1494, from "The Shahnameh" (Book of Kings) by Firdawsi Photos courtesy of the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C.

4 In 1994, Iran traded a Willem de Kooning nude for hundreds of pages of the prized 16th-century copy of "The Shahnameh," pages of which are on display in the exhibit.

"Battle Between Zanga And Awkhast," Gilan, Iran, 1493-1494, from "The Shahnameh" (Book of Kings) by Firdawsi

Photos courtesy of the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C.