Empire 112. Ferdowsi: How One Poet Saved Persian Civilisation
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Jan 9, 2024 
Vesta Sarkosh Curtis, an esteemed author and curator at the British Institute of Persian Studies, delves into the genius of Ferdowsi and his monumental work, the Shahnameh. She discusses how this epic poem revived Persian identity after the upheaval of the Arab conquest. The conversation reveals the deep cultural resonance of the Shahnameh, intertwining myth and history, while exploring tragic tales like that of Rostam and Sohrab. Vesta highlights Ferdowsi's role in preserving the Persian language and his poignant legacy that continues to shape cultural pride.
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Arab Conquest's Impact
- Persia's history drastically changed after the Arab conquest, shifting from an imperial power to an occupied nation.
- The patronage shifted to Islam, Arabic became the official language, and Persian nearly vanished as a literary language.
Persian Persistence
- Despite the Arab conquest, Persian language and Zoroastrianism persisted for centuries in certain areas.
- Persian officials even held influence in courts, particularly under the Abbasids.
Persian Language Survival
- Two centuries passed between the last Sasanian ruler and Ferdowsi's birth.
- While Arabic became the administrative language, Persian continued to be spoken, enabling its eventual revival.
