FAQ About The Cultural Impact of Classical Persian Poetry

What is the ‘Shahnameh’ and why is it important?

The ‘Shahnameh,’ written by Ferdowsi around 1010 AD, is one of the longest epic poems in the world. Consisting of over 50,000 couplets, it narrates the historical and mythical past of Persia from its creation to the Islamic conquest. The ‘Shahnameh’ is lauded for preserving pre-Islamic lore and culture and is a crucial part of Iranian cultural identity, influencing Persian art, music, and literature for centuries.