Shahrokh Meskoob was one of Iran's leading intellectuals and a preeminent scholar of Persian literary traditions, language, and cultural identity. In The Ant's Gift, Meskoob applies his insight and considerable analytical skills to the Shahnameh, the national epic of Iran completed in 1010 by the poet Abul-Qusem Ferdowsi.
Exploring themes of love, greed, and ethical integrity, this work delves into the eleventh-century Iranian epic, the Shahnameh. It intertwines various mythological and historical elements to narrate the poignant story of prince Siavash's death and his resurrection as Kay Khosrow. Meskoob critiques the decline of heroic ideals in Sasanian society and the shift towards a fatalistic martyrdom in Shi'ite Iran. The translation by Mahasti Afshar captures the essence of Meskoob's prose, enhanced by insightful notes for both general readers and scholars.