A Research on the Body in Shahnameh and Iliad(Comparison of Rostam and Achilles; Mythological Myths of Iran and Greece)

The most famous Persian epic is "Shahnameh" by Hakim Abolqasem Ferdowsi and the most famous ancient Greek epic "The Iliad and the Odyssey" which is composed by Homer – the blind Greek poet. The present research studies the body in "Shahnameh" and its hero Rostam in comparison with Achilles in which their physical strength and power have been compared. The method of the research is based on library and documentary means and two books "Shahnameh" and "Iliad" have been reviewed and the contents have been noted. The result of the study states that Achilles, the first hero of the Iliad, has differences and similarities with Rostam. It is also remarkable that Rostam and Achilles "both are supported by supernatural forces”; Achilles by the gods and Rustam by Phoenix.