Persian literature, one of the world’s greatest

With its long history, Persian language has one of the richest and oldest literatures in the world.

Having its roots in Iran’s Achaemenid Empire dating back to more than 2,500 years ago, Persian literature has endured years of upheavals, wars, empires and has successfully passed the test of time.

In addition to the people of Iran, works of Persian literature have been produced by individuals who came from various regions in Central and Western Asia.

The history of Persian can be divided into three phases: Old Persian (circa 600-300 BC), written in Cuneiform, corresponding with the time of the Achaemenid Empire; Middle Persian (circa 300 BC-800 AD), the official language of the Sassanid Empire; and Modern Persian (since 800 AD) which has a history of more than 1200 years and is spoken to this day.

Modern Persian literature has produced some of the world’s greatest literary giants; Ferdowsi, Roudaki, Saadi, Hafez, Nezami Ganjavi, Attar, Molavi (also known as Rumi in the West), Omar Khayyam, only to name a few.

Persian literature with its substantial and exuberant deposit has projected tremendous influence on world literatures.

German poet Goethe’s West-Easter Diwan (West-oesterlicher Diwan) is inspired by the works of the renowned Persian poet Hafez.

Numerous works of Persian literature has been translated to various languages including English.  

Today, Persian literature has a very special place in the hearts and minds of Iranians and is intertwined with their way of life and culture.

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