Tenth-century Persian poet Ferdowsi's long epic poem ''Šāhnāme'' ("Book of Kings"), which is for the most part based on ''Xwadāynāmag'', a Middle Persian compilation of the history of Iranian kings and heroes from mythical times down to the reign of Chosroes II, is considered the national epic of Iran. It draws heavily on the stories and characters of the Zoroastrian tradition, from the texts of the Avesta, the Denkard, and the Bundahishn.