I don’t get a detailed history lesson in Peter’s illustrated version. I’m enjoying the intro— details & all. Intellectual Depth is honey to me.

“…important to understand the forces and philosophies that shaped it. Muslims invaded Iran in 637 CE. The Islamic conquest ended the Sassanid Empire and led to the eventual decline of the Zoroastrian - religion in Iran. Even though the majority of Iranians eventually converted to Islam, many aspects of their ancient civilization became integrated into the newly formed Islamic society.

Through the following centuries, the fluctuating relationship between free thinkers and those who followed strict religious dogma profoundly affected the development of poetry in Iran.” ~Sholeh Wolpé