Simurgh & Phoenix: The Largest Mythical BirdIn the classical tradition followed by medieval European writers, such as Ovid (Metamorphoses 15.246) and Isidore of Seville (Etymologiae 12.5.2), both words refer to the same bird; though as far back as Aeschylus (in Agamemnon) they are sometimes distinguished. As a mythical creature with a very long lifespan, the phoenix has appeared in various cultural traditions around the world for thousands of years, including Greek mythology and Persian mythology. The simurgh was also said to have horns upon its head like those of cattle and was described in writing by several authors from ancient Persia including Farid ud-Din Attar who wrote "The Conference of Birds" between 1177 and 1181 AD which includes mentions of this creature along with other famous birds such as eagles, hawks, peacocks and ostriches.[3]
September 18, 2022