Kord in Shahnameh

The word "Kord" is used two times in Shahnameh (The book of kings), once in Zahhak Reign and another in the period of Ardashir. Some scholars interpret the meaning of Kord as equal to "ethnic group". But this interpretation is in contradiction with its usage in the old texts in which it means job, profession, or shepherd. Furthermore, the interpretation of “Kord” as an ethnic group or language may evoke resentment against some Iranian citizens belonging to Kordish ethnic group. This paper, based on studying old Persian texts and some Arabic ones tries to prove that the word "Kord" originally means job, profession, or shepherd.