From Ferdowsi's Shahnama, the Persian Book of Kings
Cast of Characters:
Gaiumart: the legendary first shah who taught humans, "the arts of life"
Ahriman: Gaiumart's opponent and the embodiment of evil
He who compiled the ancient legendary, And tales of paladins, saith Gaiumart Invented crown and throne, and was a Shah. . . . Its lord was Gaiumart, who dwelt at first Upon a mountain; thence his throne and fortune Rose. He and all his troop wore leopard-skins, And under him the arts of life began, For food and dress were in their infancy. He reigned o’er all the earth for thirty years, In goodness like a sun upon the throne, And as a full moon o’er a lofty cypress So shone he from the seat of king of kings. The cattle and the divers beasts of prey Grew tame before him; men stood not erect Before his throne but bent, as though in prayer. Warner, I, 118–19