The Kushnameh: The Persian Epic of Kush the Tusked

The first English translation of a Persian epic, the Kushnameh, brings the global middle ages to life and explores questions of nature and nurture. It is a valuable source for understanding the history of racism and constructions of race.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 19 July 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

The Kushnameh is a remarkable work of medieval Persian literature that offers a unique perspective on the history of racism and the construction of race. Written in the early 14th century, it is the first English translation of a strange and unusual Persian epic. This action-packed tale of an evil, monstrous king explores questions of nature and nurture and brings the global middle ages to life.

The story follows the entangled lives of Kush the Tusked, a monstrous antihero with tusks and ears like an elephant, descended from the evil emperor Zahhak. Alongside Kush, we meet Abtin, the exiled grandson of the last true Persian emperor. Abandoned at birth in the forests of China, Abtin is raised by Abtin and grows into a powerful and devious warrior.

Kush and his foes scheme and wage war across a global stage, spanning from Spain and Africa to China and Korea. Between epic battles and magnificent feasts, the Kushnameh presents disturbing, sometimes realistic portrayals of abuse and oppression. It also includes philosophical speculation about nature and nurture and the origins of civilization.

This important work of medieval Persian literature is a valuable source for understanding the history of racism and the constructions of race. It sheds light on the flows of lore and legend from the Central Asian Silk Road and the Sahara to the sea routes of the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean. The Kushnameh is a treasure trove of Islamic and pre-Islamic Persian cultural history and a striking contemporary document of the "global middle ages."

For the first time, English-speaking readers can now access this remarkable work and explore the rich tapestry of medieval Persian literature. The Kushnameh is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the ability of literature to transcend time and cultural boundaries.

Weight: 376g
Dimension: 127 x 199 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520385306