MYTHOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF THE IMAGE OF RUSTAM AND THE ARTISTIC TRANSFORMATION OF HEROIC ETHICS

Abstract

The article explores the multifaceted image of Rustam in Abulqosim Firdavsi’s epic poem, the "Shahnama," focusing on the transition from ancient mythological foundations to a sophisticated system of heroic ethics. From a philological perspective, Rustam is analyzed not merely as a literary character but as an artistic transformation of archetypal conceptions of heroism. The study highlights how supernatural elements—such as the patronage of the Simurgh, the symbolic significance of the horse Rakhsh, and the invulnerability of the Babr-i Bayan—serve as a framework for the hero's moral development. Central to this analysis is the "Haft Khan" (Seven Labors) cycle, interpreted as a spiritual pilgrimage of purification and the subordination of physical power to social responsibility and divine justice.