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Amir Arsalan-e Namdar (Persian: امیر ارسلان نامدار) is a popular Persian epic, which was told to Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar, the Qajar Shah of Persia in the 19th century (though the Persian legend itself is much older), by a storyteller named Mohammad Ali Naqib al-Mamalek (Persian: میرزا محمدعلی نقیبالممالک). Mohammad never transcribed the poem himself, but the daughter of the Shah—who also loved the story—eventually transcribed it and preserved it for history.
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Plot
The epic narrates the adventures of its protagonist, Arsalan. The story begins with the Banu (lady) of Roum (also known as Constantinople). Roum was conquered by European invaders, and its pregnant Banu (lady) forced to flee for her life. She becomes wedded to an Egyptian merchant and gives birth to her child, Arsalan. The merchant claims the child as his own. Eventually, of course, Arsalan learns of his royal origins and takes it in his mind to reclaim his throne.
Adaptations
This story was adapted as a screen play by Shapor Yasami in 1954, main actor was the Iranian actor Iloosh Khooshabeh (known as Rod Flash and Richard Lloyd in the west). The story was adapted into another script by Dr. Esmaeel Koushan on 1965; this time the role of Arsalan was played by Mohammad Ali Fardin. The result was a very successful musical film.
Famous Japanese Animation "The Heroic Legend of Arslan" アルスラーン戦記 is based on Japanese fantasy novel series written by Yoshiki Tanaka. It started to be published in 1986; as of 2016 there are 15 novels and one side story in the official guidebook Arslan Senki Tokuhon.