PERSIAN LITERATURE
OBJECTIVES:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Discuss important facts and figures about Iran
Trace the history of Iran
Identify the characteristics of Persian literature
Recognize the important contributions of Omar
Khayyam to Persian Literature
Explain the different stanzas of Rubaiyat
Read the expound the poems of Hapiz, Jami, and
Sadi
INTRODUCTION

The word Iran means the ‘Land of the Aryan’s.

The former name of Iran was Persia, which was
in use till 1935

The largest ethnic group of Iran is Persian, constituting about 51 percent of the population
and the majority of the population of Iran is Shiite Muslim.

Famous western poets influenced by Persian
poets: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Wolfgang Von
Goethe.

Iran’s constitution and Parliament were created on
Aug 5th, 1906.

Iran is one of the world’s oldest continuous major
civilizations, with historical and urban settlements
dating back to 4000 BC.

Persian rugs are still the best rugs in the world.

Iran has world’s best caviar.

Iran has crocodiles. It’s tigers were hunted to
extinction 50 years ago. But still has the only
Asiatic cheetah.

Majority of the population of Iran is Shiite Muslim.

Iran is one of the world’s oldest continuous major civilizations, with
historical and urban settlements dating back to 4000 BC.

Persian (Farsi) is still spoken in Tajikistan and Afghanistan. It was the
official court language of India for 200 years.

Surprisingly, Persia [Iran] built the earliest known windmills, which
resembled large paddle wheels. Iran was pioneering wind energy
long before any other nation realized the energy benefit of God’s natural energy powerhouse.
Iran is one of the few countries in the world
where a couple can have a “TEMPORARY
MARRIAGE.” These “marriages” can be valid for
as short as an hour.
 Iranian transsexuals are allowed to undergo
sex-change operations through a decree
passed by the founder of the Islamic Republic
himself, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.


Being the largest producer of pistachio nuts,
Iran is considered to be the pistachio capital of
the world. Pistachio is the country’s second
largest export next to oil and NATURAL GAS.

As the women of Iran are prohibited from
attending sporting events, some female football
fans resort to cross-dressing to be able to
watch live games.

As a staunch advocate of family planning, Iran
widely encourages the use of contraception.
Moreover, to control population growth, Iran
has established one of the few condom
factories in the Middle East.

Iran provides home and social security for
approximately a million foreign refugees – the
biggest number in a single country in the world.

Biblical characters Queen Esther and the
prophet Daniel are buried in Iran.

Neckties are not worn or used in Iran.

Iranian households are forbidden to have
SATELLITE TELEVISION.

Before the Arab Muslims conquered Persia, the
religion of Persia or Iran was something called
Zoroastrianism

The word mausoleum comes from the famous
grave of King Mausolus. It is a 45-meter-tall
marble structure covered with bas relief, is one
of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and
is found in Iran
LAND AND RESOURCES
PEOPLE
RELIGION
GOVERNMENT