Arendt's Storytelling and the Representation of Iran's Identity in karname Ardashir Babakan

There is no consensus regarding the nature of "Karname-e-Ardeshir-e-Babakan" (also known as "Karnameh Artakhshir Papakan", as it is considered to be an epic, a legend, a novel, and a historical account. The aim of the current research is to understand the nature of this work from a political perspective. Our main question is: What is the status and nature of the "Karnameh" from a political standpoint? To address this issue, we have applied Hannah Arendt's storytelling method to gain a deeper understanding of the text. Our investigation reveals that the "Karnameh" encompasses elements of storytelling as articulated in Arendt's philosophy, particularly her views on "Action" and "The Political. it can be classified as a distinctly political work. The "Karnameh" serves as a significant effort to articulate the history, epic narratives, legends, political thought, and other facets of Iranian culture and civilization as a unique phenomenon, embodying an identity expressed through an engaging language and format that evokes the essence of national identity. It is a work that, through the lens of Arendt's insights, captures the voice of ancient Iranian courtiers. The "Karnameh" represents the written form of Gosan's narrative, reflecting the beliefs and history of the Iranian people.
Introduction:
Many Iranian texts, theories, and ideas have yet to be systematically analyzed and critiqued by political scholars within the appropriate frameworks of this scientific field. One particularly important text is the Karnameh Artakhshir Papakan (Karname-e Ardashir-e Babakan) The Book of Deeds of Ardashir, Son of Papak). Understanding the nature, significance, and political implications of this work from a political science perspective is crucial and will enhance our understanding of ancient Iranian political thought and action. In this study, we aim to situate the Karnameh-e Ardashir-e Babakan within the framework of Hannah Arendt's concepts of storytelling and narrative through a political lens. We will analyze and evaluate this work to gain a deeper understanding of its political nature and significance. Our objective is to explore the political dimensions of the Karnameh Artakhshir Papakan and its most critical political implications. The central question we address is: What is the political nature and significance of the Karnameh Artakhshir Papakan?
Methodology:
To understand the political nature, significance, and themes of the “Karname-e Ardashir-e Babakan,” we seek to analyze this text within the framework of Hannah Arendt's ideas and methods of storytelling. The relationship between story and politics in Arendt's thought has specific components and functions, closely tied to the foundations of her political thinking, including the concept of action. Just as action in Arendt's thought is intersubjective, creative, initiatory, worldly, linguistic, and dialogical—encompassing presence in the public sphere, initiative, dialogue, speech, argumentation, persuasion, and standing up for goals, ideals, and resistance to evil—the story, as Arendt conceives it, has the capacity to express, reveal, and transmit all the potentials of action. As such, it acquires unique and political functions and components. Storytelling is the best medium and foundation for expressing, revealing, representing, and understanding political phenomena and events. Stories reveal events, the identity of heroes and actors, and, together, construct history. In this article, we attempt to analyze and evaluate the Karname-e Ardashir-e Babakan with these nuances of political storytelling from Arendt's perspective.
Results and Discussion:
Our investigation shows that the Karnameh includes the elements of the story in Arendt's thought, which is related to her views on "Action" and "The Political", and therefore it is a completely political work. Karnameh is an effective effort to express the history, epic, legend, political thought and other elements of Iranian culture and civilization as a unique phenomenon and an identity with an attractive language and format that can bring out the identity and spirit of the national identity. A work that only "story" - with Arendt's minutes - was able to do in the voice of the ancient Iranian courtiers. Karnamag is the written form of Gosan's narrative of the beliefs and history of the Iranian people.
Conclusion:
Politics and storytelling share a bidirectional relationship; politics and politicians influence the emergence of narratives, utilizing them to justify their actions and persuade their audiences. Conversely, stories enhance our understanding of society and individuals, playing a significant role in the construction of identity and selfhood. Given these roles, storytelling acquires specific components and functions within Arendt's intellectual framework, which are intricately connected to the foundations of her political thought, including the concepts of action and the public sphere. Arendt's perspective on storytelling and its components can be applied to the analysis of political narratives (including stories, ideologies, schools of thought, etc.) as well as to the construction of such narratives.
Within Arendt's intellectual system:

Story serves as the optimal medium for the emergence of identity.
Storytelling possesses an exemplary and paradigmatic nature rather than a generalizing one.
Story is the outcome of a "web of interconnected relationships."
The hero of the story is the courageous actor in the public sphere.
Story is a means of achieving immortality.
The storyteller is situated within a specific context.
Storytellers express identity (who one is) most effectively through narratives.

Although the Karname-e Ardashir-e Babakan centers on the deeds and actions of Ardashir-e Babakan, its primary theme is the unification of Iran and the elimination of fragmentation. All the details of the story function as instruments for nationalist and political action aimed at unifying Iran. They recount and revive its myths and beliefs to rediscover the nation's spirit and identity. These objectives and methods are fundamentally political. The Karnameh aims to present Iranian identity, culture, and mythology through a narrative and storytelling format. Its goal is to convey a comprehensive understanding rather than to propose an overarching theory, generalize a specific intellectual model, or simply recount historical events. The work seeks to offer a distinctive portrayal of Iranian identity, which is, in itself, a political endeavor.
The hero of the Karnameh is courageous and active in the Arendtian sense; his actions are both political and practical endeavors in the public sphere, aimed at achieving liberation. He seeks freedom and the defeat of his enemies through heroic deeds, embodying the qualities of the ideal Iranian king and representing the image of a worthy ruler for Iran. The narrative structure of the Karnameh-e Ardashir has significantly contributed to its lasting legacy and the immortality of its hero. The Karnameh is one of the few surviving texts written in the Pahlavi script and language. The storyteller within the Karnameh actively participates in the narrative, advocating for the unity and illustrious identity of Iran. His concern for Iran's political turmoil is evident throughout the text, as he accompanies and encourages the tale of Iran's liberation by reviving and emphasizing its myths, beliefs, and legends.