Shahnameh stories | Poetry of time
Step into the world of Persia’s greatest legends with Poetry of Time, a narrative podcast that breathes life into Ferdowsi’s timeless masterpiece, the Shahnameh (The Book of Kings). Each episode unravels the myths, heroes, and cosmic battles that have shaped Persian culture for over a thousand years—blending rich storytelling with the lyrical beauty of classical verse.
From the rise of mighty kings to the fall of tragic warriors, we journey through love, destiny, and divine intrigue, one spellbinding story at a time. Whether you’re new to the Shahnameh or a lifelong admirer, Poetry of Time invites you to rediscover Persia’s epic soul—where history and myth collide.
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Shahnameh stories | Poetry of time
Zahhak the Serpent King | How Darkness Came to Iran — Shahnameh Tales | EP6
In this episode of Poetry of Time, we trace the chilling origins of Zahhak, the Serpent King of Persian mythology. Born in Arabia, tempted by Iblis, cursed with snakes upon his shoulders — Zahhak's hunger for power knows no limits. When the nobles of Iran, desperate for a ruler, invite him to their land… they unknowingly open the gates to a thousand years of fear and tyranny.
Discover how ambition, deception, and misplaced trust allowed darkness to cross mountains — and how the shadows of Zahhak’s reign fell over Iran.
This is the story of how a king rose… not from heroism… but from horror.