The Feminine Contribution to the Cosmic Order in the Shahnameh of Ferdowsi.

In nature it is through the interaction of a male and a female that procreation happens. In the religions of the ancient agricultural
societies, the universe is made up of two primordial principles -- male and female. In the mythology of Mesopotamia, the collaboration of these two elements brings harmony and balance to the world.

In the Shahnameh, the national epic of Iranians, the cosmic orde is protected and sustained by sacred kingship. It is my contention that the righteous king is the one who is in touch with his positive feminine side, and through this close relationship maintains cosmic order. As a result, the country enjoys wealth and prosperity. And an evil king is the one who wants to control the world through violence and dictatorship. To prove my theory I analyze the stories of Jamshid, Zahhak, and Fereidun. However my main focus is on the role which Farahnak, the mother of Fereidun plays in the restoration of Order. It is my intention to prove that the sole dominance of one gender leads to corruption and chaos, and that it is through a respectful collaboration that civilizations prosper.