Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (died 1020); recto: The bier of Iskandar (Alexander the Great); verso: text

The Shahnama (Book of kings), the national epic of Iran, recounts the adventures of many legendary kings and heroes from the mythical creation of the world to the fall of the historical Sasanian dynasty in 651. Among the most memorable characters is ...