After this being was slain by the demoness Jahi, a tree sprouted from their corpse, leading to the birth of the first man Mashya and the first woman Mashyana. For 10 points each:
[10h] Name this first human being from Avestan mythology. One epic begins by describing this figure’s rule during a time when humans still lived in caves and wore leopard skins.
ANSWER: Gayomart [or Kayomart; or Keyumars; or Kiomars]
[10e] Upon Gayomart’s death after ruling for 30 years, their grandson Hushang founded this modern-day country’s Pishdadian Dynasty. The story of Gayomart opens this country’s national epic, the Shahnameh.
ANSWER: Iran [or Islamic Republic of Iran; or Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran; prompt on Persia]
[10m] Gayomart’s son Siamak is killed while leading an army against the forces of this figure. In a story from the Shahnameh, kisses from this figure cause snakes to grow from the shoulders of the evil king Zahhak.
ANSWER: Ahriman [or Angra Mainyu]
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