On Bahmannameh

Bahmannameh is an epic account of Bahman, son of Esfandyar. Dr Afifi, proofreader of this poem specifies the author’s name as Iranshah ibn Abi’l-khair, and Dr Matini proofreader of Koushnameh, another epic of this author, for some reason assumes the name Iranshan ibn Abi’l-khair to be correct. The exact date of composition of Bahmannameh is not clear and it is said to have been composed at the end of the fifth and beginning of the sixth century. Thus uncertainties still remain as to the exact name of the poet and date of its composition. This essay with reference to Mojmal-attavarikh-valghesas manuscripts, and also studying the events referred by the composer of the poem in its preface has proved based on certain evidence that the composition of Bahmannameh had already been completed slightly before the tenth of month of Zihijeh 495, and after Garshaspnameh it is considered as the oldest national epic of Iran. Furthermore the name of Iranshan despite its oddness is quite genuine. It is verified with reference to the Fiqh al- lughah and its meaning and other examples of similar names are also discussed.