From Bal’amī to Nasrullāh Munšī: An Introduction to Classical Persian Prose
October 6 - October 23
2025
Instructor: Ruben S. Nikoghosyan
Languages: English, Persian
Duration: 3 weeks (24 hours of instruction)
Frequency: 4 classes per week (Wednesdays)
Duration of a Session: 2 hours
Deadline for Applications: September 29
Classes Start: October 6 (9pm Yerevan Time)
Location: Online (Zoom)
Required level of Persian: Intermediate
Participation Fee:
- 2 weeks: 250 USD
- 3 Weeks: 320 USD
Selected Texts:
- Dibāča of Abu Mansūr’s Shāhnāma
- Tārikh-ī Bal’amī
- Hudūd al-’ālam
- Siyār ul-mulūk/Siyāsat-nāma
- Qābūs-nāma
- Kalīla wa Dimna,
Registration: To apply, please click the “Apply” button above. Complete all required fields and submit. Accepted applicants will receive further instructions on participation.
Note*: All materials will be provided by the instructor
Note**: The background photo is an illustration from the masnavi “Mehr o Moštari” by Așșār-i Tabrīzī (Inv. no. 78/2006), kept at (c) The David’s Collection, Copenhagen.
There is a common misconception among people who are interested in studying Classical Persian literature that you have to start with texts in verse, that is, Classical Persian poetry. However, it is important to know one key fact: in order to be able to tackle Classical Persian poetry, you need to have a thorough understanding of Classical Persian prose, because prose is the basis of the language, and only through familiarity with it you can track the changes happening in the language of the poetry.
Thus, this course is for all who are interested in diving into the wealth of Classical Persian prose texts, which have been selected from a variety of genres, including histories, mirror of princes, as well as didactic texts such as Kalila and Dimna.
In addition to the readings, we will also have discussions of the historical-linguistic aspects of the development of Persian throughout history, which will provide the participants with a broader understanding of the historical context of the texts.
Course Overview
This 3-week online course provides an in-depth exploration of Early Classical Persian prose, focusing on key texts from the 10th, 11th, and 12th centuries CE.
Classes will be held Monday to Thursday, two hours per day, focusing on the intensive readings and analysis of the selected texts.
In the first week, participants will delve into important specimens of 10th-century prose, beginning with such an important text as the Dibāča of Abu Mansūr’s Shāhnama, and then exploring the Tārīkh-i Bal’amī. These readings will provide an early foundation in the language, its stylistic features, and its evolving literary traditions.
The second week shifts to 11th-century texts, such as Siyāsat-nāma (Siyār ul-Mulūk) and Qābūs-nāma. Through these works, participants will deepen their understanding of Persian prose’s thematic and stylistic development during this period, and get an insight into the mirror-of-princes genre in Persian literature.
In the final week, the course turns to the 12th century with an exclusive focus on Persian translation of Kalila and Dimna by Nasrullāh Munshī, which is written in a style known as rhyming prose. This complex text offers a unique opportunity to engage with advanced linguistic and literary elements of Classical Persian and get the skills to tackle more complex texts.
Throughout the course, participants will gain a nuanced understanding of Classical Persian language, covering phonetics, orthography, grammar, stylistics, etymology, and the broader literary traditions of the period. The immersive readings and discussions will enable learners to build a strong foundation in both the language and the literary culture of Classical Persian prose.
Selected Texts
- The Dibāča of Abu Mansūr’s Shāhnāma
- Abu ‘Ali Muhammad al-Bal’amī, Tārikh-ī Bal’amī (a free rendering into Persian of Tabarī’s History)
- Hudūd al-’ālam (author unknown)
- Nizām ul-Mulk, Siyār ul-mulūk (Siyāsat-nāma)
- Kay-Kāwus b. Iskandar b. Qābus b. Wušmgīr, Qābūs-nāma
- Kalīla wa Dimna, translated by Nasrullāh Munšī
Topics of Discussion
- Classical Persian: An overview of the historical, linguistic and literary background.
- From Classical to Modern Persian: The phonetic evolution of Persian.
- The earliest manuscripts of Persian.
- Parallel Traditions: Early Judaeo-Persian and its literary heritage.
- The orthographical evolution of New Persian.
- The Lexicon of the ENP: The borrowings from the substratum languages
Course Structure
The course consists of 12 sessions of intensive study, each session lasting for two hours. The classes will be held from Monday to Thursday and last for three weeks. The participants have the option of choosing to participate only for two weeks. Below is a breakdown of the main activities during each class:
- Discussion of questions: Reviewing and reflecting on homework sections
- Reading and analysis of the text
- Break: Short pause to refresh (15 minutes)
- Reading and analysis of the text
- Q&A and wrap-up: Open discussion and addressing participants’ questions
Students are encouraged to actively participate and share their perspectives, creating a collaborative learning environment.
Methodology
In my courses, I employ a straightforward yet highly effective method that integrates literary, historical-linguistic, and philological approaches to elucidate even the most complex passages and challenging words within Classical Persian texts.
Drawing on my expertise in pre-Islamic (Middle) Persian language and literature, as well as my familiarity with a number of Iranian and non-Iranian languages, broader historical and geographical contexts, and the rich literary traditions of the region, I aim to bring clarity to the meanings of words, expressions, and ideas within the texts we study.
One of the key tactics in my teaching is to analyze every single detail – every particle, every word, and every grammatical expression in a text. Nothing should remain unexplained, and if something is challenging to explain, we treat it as a problematic passage. In my approach, I don’t simply say, “This is how it is,” but rather explain why it is so, whether due to specific grammatical, lexical, or phraseological rules.
Course Readings
Week 1
Day 1-2. Dibāča of Abu Mansūr’s Shāhnāma
Discussion topic: Early Classical Persian: An overview of the historical, linguistic, and literary background.
Recommended reading: Djalal Khaleghi Motlagh, “Šāhnāme-ye Abumansuri”. In: Esmā’īl Sa’ādat (ed.), Ferdowsī wa Shahnāmā-sarā’ī. The Academy of Persian Language and Literature, Tehran, 2011, pp. 109-115.
Day 3-4. Tārikh-ī Bal’amī by Abu ‘Ali Muhammad al-Bal’amī.
Edition: Malek-oš-šo’arā Bahār (ed.), Tārix-e Bala’āmī, be kušeš-e Mohammad Parvin-e Gonābādi, dar 2 moǰallad, 1353 (čāp-e dovvom).
Chapter: Andar xabar-i Ardašīr-i Bābakān (2nd volume, pp. 874-886).
Discussion topic: The Development of the Classical Persian Orthography
Week 2
Day 5-6. Siyār ul-mulūk (Siyāsat-nāma) by Nizām ul-Mulk.
Edition: Darke, Hubert (ed.), Siyār ul-mulūk. Critical edition. Tehran. 1340
Discussion topic: The earliest manuscripts of Early Classical Persian.
Day 7-8. Qābūs-nāma by Kay-Kāwus b. Iskandar b. Qābus b. Wušmgīr
Edition: Yousefi, Golam-Hossein (ed.). Qābūs-nāma. Tehran. 1371
Discussion topic: From Classical to Modern Persian: The phonetic evolution of Persian.
Week 3
Day 9-12. Kalīla wa Dimna, the translation of Nasrullāh Munšī.
Edition: Minovi, Mojtaba, Kalīle va Demne, Tehran. 1392.
Discussion topics:
- Parallel Traditions: Early Judaeo-Persian and its literary heritage.
- The Lexicon of the ENP: The borrowings from the substratum languages
For me, personally, this really is a beginning of a long journey of learning under Ruben’s guidance and tutelage. To everyone who has love for the language (with or without academic needs)- you’ll find it to be a deeply fulfilling and rewarding experience learning with Ruben and the Ferdowsi School.
PS. Hoping that the School comes up with in-person Summer/Winter School where we can travel, read and learn together :)