Page from the Shah-nameh by Firdausi, a 17th or 18th-century copy of the Iranian history epic.
(Photo:Library of Congress)
Persian history is rich and ancient.
Thefirst Persian Empirewas founded in 550 BC and was known as the Achaemenid Empire.
Page from the “Shah-nameh by Firdausi,” a 17th or 18th-century copy of the Iranian history epic. (Photo:Library of Congress)
Persian kingdomsrose and fellin the succeeding centuries, but the culture endured and spread.
Today, Persian language dialects are still spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.
This is reminiscent of the days when Persians dominated art, culture, history, and science across Eurasia.
The 16th-century “ʻAjāʼib al-makhlūqāt.” (Photo:Library of Congress, African and Middle East Division, Near East Section Persian Manuscript Collection)
The collection includes impressive works such as the ancient epic poemShahnamahand the works of the poet Rumi.
One can peruse the 169 manuscripts online alongside some lithographs and imprint titles.
Meanwhile, the pages boast everything from battle scenes to ornate calligraphy.
“Shah-nameh by Firdausi,” by Firdawsī, 17th or 18th century copy. (Photo:Library of Congress, African and Middle East Division, Near East Section Persian Manuscript Collection)
Browse the collection to watch the history of a large portion of the world evolve.
This wide expanse of experience is evidenced by the appearance of Arabic, Turkish, and Armenian alongside Persian.
Explore the Library of Congress’s magnificent collection of 700+ years of Persian-language illustrated and illuminated manuscripts.
A 16th-century Persian manuscript, “Kitāb-i Saḥr-i ḥalāl.” (Photo:Library of Congress, African and Middle East Division, Near East Section Persian Manuscript Collection)
The 16th-century Ajaib al-makhluqat.
A page from “Yūsuf va Zulaykhā.” (Photo:Library of Congress, African and Middle East Division, Near East Section Persian Manuscript Collection)
From a Persian poetry book. (Photo:Library of Congress, African and Middle East Division, Near East Section Persian Manuscript Collection)
The 18th century “Kitāb-i kullīyāt-i Shaykh Saʻdī ʻalayhi al-raḥmah.” (Photo:Library of Congress, African and Middle East Division, Near East Section Persian Manuscript Collection)
