Ferdowsi, the Preserver of Persian Language

Persian classical poetry, and Persian literature in general, is one of the irreplaceable parts of Iranian heritage, owning its survival to Ferdowsi, the greatest Persian poet. Ferdowsi is the author of “Shahnameh”, the Iranian national epic which is also considered the world’s longest epic poem. That is why he is called the most influential figure in Persian literature.

About Ferdowsi

“Abul Qasim Ferdowsi Tusi” known as “Ferdowsi” (also spelled Firdowsi, Ferdousi, Firdawsi, Firdusi, Firdousi) was born (940- 1020 AD) in “Tus”, a small ancient city in “Razavi Khorasan Province” in the northeast part of Iran which is also famous as “Susia” in ancient Greeks.

Ferdowsi belonged to a landowner family of the aristocratic class in the Samanids era who had a comfortable income from their estates and was fond of their traditions and customs and tried hard to protect them.
His kunya is “Hakim” literary means “philosopher”. Although nothing is known with any certainty about his name and even the real facts of his life, some believe Sultan Mahmud, the Ghaznavid king, called him “Ferdowsi” meaning “man of paradise”.

After the Islamic conquest in the 7th century, some parts of Iranian culture and linguistics changed. In the 9th century, however, under the rule of Samanids, the Persian language was supported and a brilliant era for fostering Persian language, literature, and thought was prepared when Ferdowsi saw its task to preserve Iranian traditional culture and language and created the masterpiece of Shahnameh, “Book of Kings” around 977.

After his death, his body was buried in his own garden in Tus. A Ghaznavid governor ordered the construction of a mausoleum over his grave. However, it was rebuilt between 1928 and 1934 by the National Heritage Society of Iran as a revered site. Some scenes from Shahnameh were carved into reliefs at his mausoleum.

Shahnameh

Shahname, the great work of Ferdowsi, is of high importance in Persian literature. It has had a great impact on Persian speakers and writers all over the world. Shahnameh, is the result of 30 years of Ferdowsi’s effort. It was finally completed in 1010. Ferdowsi presented it to Sultan Mahmud, the Gaznavid king, who ruled over Tus by that time. Shahnameh is a combination of legend and ancient history of the Persian kings and brave warriors. That is why it is an epic.

A Brief Overview of Shanhanmeh

Shahnameh provides a poetic view of Iranian history. The epic begins with the creation of the world and ends with the Islamic Conquest of Persia. The content includes three successive parts: the mythical, the heroic, and the historical ages. The “mythical age”, which is a short part, contains 2,100 verses (4% of the book). It begins with the praise of God and the creation of the world and man. This part devotes to Keyumars, the first king. His grandson discovered fire and that was the time when Sadeh Feast was established. The rest of this part is related to the story of Kaveh, Fereydon, Zahhak, Jamshid, and Tahmuras.

The “heroic age” contains two-thirds of the book. In this fantastic part, the story of Rostam and his Seven Khan was narrated. Indeed, this part is devoted to the age of heroes. This part of the book can be considered the most famous part following Manuchehr’s reign to the conquest of Alexander the Great.

The “historical age” mentions the history of Alexander and Ardeshir, the founder of the Sassanid Empire. The end was devoted to the Arab conquest of Persia. Although the book is an epic one, the romantic parts of the stories are also prominent, astonishing, and absorbing. The reader certainly enjoys the romantic story of Bizhan and Manizhe, Katayon and Goshtasb, Zal and Rodabe, and Rostam and Tahmineh which is subtly expressed in epic work.