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Rustam Kills Akvan the Div
Folio from a manuscript of the Shahnameh (Book of Kings)
- Accession Number:AKM427
- Creator:Firdausi (d. 1020)
- Place:Iran
- Dimensions:
- Date:ca. 1600
- Materials and Technique:Opaque watercolour, gold, and ink on paper
Akvan Div had shape-shifted into an onager chasing the royal herd of horses “like an escaped lion”. By order of the king, Rustam began hunting Akvan, only to see him vanish into thin air moments before capture. In this folio, Rustam has finally come face-to-face with the demon. Upon uttering God’s name, Akvan is trapped in his final form, allowing Rustam to destroy him.
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