Ferdowsi

Date of Birth: 940 CE

Zodiac Sign: Unknown

Date of Death: 1020 CE

Biography

Ferdowsi, born Hakim Abul-Qasim Ferdowsi Tusi, was a seminal Persian poet known for his epic masterpiece, the Shahnameh, or “The Book of Kings.” This monumental work, written over 30 years, is considered one of the most important works in Persian literature and has had a significant influence on Persian culture and language. Ferdowsi was born in 940 CE in the village of Paj near Tus, in the province of Khorasan, in what is now modern-day Iran. His works are celebrated for preserving the Persian language during a time of Arab cultural dominance. The Shahnameh recounts the history of Persia from the creation of the world until the Islamic conquest of Persia in the 7th century. Ferdowsi’s dedication to his cultural heritage and his poetic prowess have earned him a lasting legacy.

5 Interesting Facts about Ferdowsi

1. Ferdowsi spent over 30 years writing the Shahnameh, which consists of around 50,000 couplets.

2. The Shahnameh was written in Persian at a time when Arabic was the dominant literary language in the region.

3. Ferdowsi was reportedly not sufficiently compensated by Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni, which led to a life of financial hardship.

4. Ferdowsi’s tomb, built in 1934, is located in Tus, Iran, and is a major cultural and tourist site.

5. His work has influenced many Persian-speaking poets and writers and remains a staple of Persian education.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ferdowsi

1. “As long as the sky brings over the stars, the world will remain the same; only the names of the great ones will be remembered.”

2. “You who have no love in your heart, how can you understand the greatness of love?”

3. “Anyone who does not grasp the power of words is ignorant of the power of the world.”

4. “Do not lose hope, for when the night is darkest, the stars come out.”

5. “The one who has wisdom in his heart is the true king, not the one who has a kingdom in his hands.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Ferdowsi’s exact net worth is not documented, but he is known to have lived a modest life, especially in his later years due to lack of sufficient patronage.

Children

Ferdowsi had one daughter, whose name is not clearly documented in historical records. He wrote the Shahnameh partly to secure her future financially, though he faced difficulties in achieving this goal.