THE SHAHNAMEH was completed in the year 1010 by the Persian poet Ferdowsi. A monumental undertaking encompassing ancient myths, legends, and history, it is one of Iran's most cherished works of literature. Volume III opens with the battle of eleven Iranian heroes and their Tooranian counterparts. Throughout his reign, Kay Khosrow is driven by his desire to avenge the death of his father, Siaavoosh. We witness many conflicts between Iran and Tooran as their two opposing kings and their heroes continue to confront each other. The forces of good prevail: Iran's king, Kay Khosrow, successfully completes his mission on earth and kills Tooran's evil king, Afraasiyaab. Thereafter, no longer wishing to rule, Kay Khosrow relinquishes the throne and crown to one of his army leaders, Lohraasp, and vanishes into nature. Once Lohraasp abdicates to spend his remaining years in worship at the fire temple, there follows a succession of kings: Goshtaasp, Bahman, Daaraab, Dara, and Esfandiar. Homay, Bahman's daughter, becomes the first ruling queen of Iran. Two mighty heroes come face to face: Rostam and Esfandiar, Goshtaasp's son. Esfandiar is a prince and an important warrior hero equal in strength to Rostam. There is potential for them to unite and become allies, but Esfandiar is manipulated by his father into battling Rostam and thereby tragically loses his life. Soon after, Rostam dies at the hands of his own brother, Shaghaad. This volume concludes with the reign of Eskandar, an adaptation of the life of Alexander the Great and his invasion and occupation of the Persian Empire.