Abstract
Riahizamin* A. Jabbare Naserou**
Shiraz University
Abstract
One of the elements of religious studies and Persian mythology is the study of demons (deev). In this ...
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Riahizamin* A. Jabbare Naserou**
Shiraz University
Abstract
One of the elements of religious studies and Persian mythology is the study of demons (deev). In this paper the place of demons in heroic epics after Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh are studied. In some of these epics such as Banoo Goshasbnameh and Kok Kohazad demons have a minor presence and are only used as adjectives for evil human beings. In some other epics such as Samnameh, Shariarnameh and Faramarznameh demons have more prominent roles so that one of the seven labors that the hero must go though is a fight with a demon. The hero must fight the demon to save the girl or girls from the demon’s bondage. In some other heroic epics like Kooshnameh and Garshasbnameh, the demons are not only presented as evil creatures and the enemies of the hero, but also as certain vices such as greed, anger, envy which have their origins in ancient Persian mythology and Pahlavi texts.
* Associate Professor of Persian Language & Literature, zriahi@rose.shirazu.ac.ir
** Ph.D. Candidate of Persian Language & Literature, azim_jabbareh@yahoo.com
