The study of sociological causes leading to the downfall of Jamshid’s empire in the light of Ibn Khaldun’s theory

Shahnameh explains the history and destiny of Persian land and hence is an authentic translation of the cultural background of the Persian nation, therefore one of the most important discussions one can find in it is Ferdowsi’s sociological outlook.  In mythological section of Shahnameh the social life trend is very similar to the trend discussed in social theories.  One significant theory belongs to Ibn Khaldun.  He is a prominent figure in the history of social theory.  Among the concepts he had devised one can refer to the most important ones namely the concept of “Asabiyyah” which has been translated as social cohesion and the five stages of rise and fall of empires.  The purpose of this article is to study the reasons for the downfall of Jamshid’s empire in the light of Inb Khaldun’s sociological theory.  Jamshid is a Pishdadi king, a sage who has achieved all arts and is competent in every aspect.  The main assumption in this research is that Ibn Khaldun’s theory applies to all aspects of Jamshid’s empire.  First a brief introduction is given regarding sociology in literature, then the above concepts are defined, finally Jamshid’s empire are analyzed according to the five stages from the rise to its decay.  It is concluded that although in Ferdowsi’s time the science of sociology had not existed as the present form, sociological theories are reconstructed in his epic.