The work, composed in either the 10th or 11th century, celebrates the ancient culture of its nation even as that culture, symbolized by the dihqan, or minor landowner, is slipping into oblivion following the Arab conquest. Famous for such heroes as Rostam and Esfandiyar, it is replete with tales of derring-do. For ten points, name this national epic of Persia, composed by 
The work, composed in either the 10th or 11th century, celebrates the ancient culture of its nation even as that culture, symbolized by the dihqan, or minor landowner, is slipping into oblivion following the Arab conquest. Famous for such heroes as Rostam and Esfandiyar, it is replete with tales of derring-do. For ten points, name this national epic of Persia, composed by Ferdowsi, which traces the lineage of Iran's kings back to the mythic past.
The work, composed in either the 10th or 11th century, celebrates the ancient culture of its nation even as that culture, symbolized by the dihqan, or minor landowner, is slipping into oblivion following the Arab conquest.
{Shahnameh}