On Jan. 27, 2024, 4:13 p.m. hamed:

Literature as a source of information about warships: Some classical Persian texts provide historical or geographical information about warships, such as their types, names, functions, and battles. For example, the Ḥodud al-ʿālam (The Regions of the World), a 10th-century geographical work, describes the different kinds of ships used by various peoples, such as the Chinese, the Indians, the Arabs, and the Byzantines1. Another example is the Tāriḵ-e masʿudi (The Meadows of Gold) by al-Masʿudi, a 10th-century Arab historian who wrote in Arabic but was influenced by Persian culture and literature. He gives detailed accounts of naval warfare and shipbuilding in different regions, such as the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Caspian Sea.

Literature as a source of inspiration for warships: Some classical Persian texts may have inspired the design or the decoration of warships, such as their names, motifs, or symbols. For example, the Shāh-nāma (The Book of Kings), the epic poem by Ferdowsi, contains many references to mythical and legendary ships, such as the ship of Jamshid, the ship of Kay Khusraw, and the ship of Alexander the Great. These ships are often described as having splendid features, such as jewels, banners, or images of animals or heroes. Some of these features may have been adopted or imitated by real warships in later periods3. Another example is the Khamsa (The Quintet), a collection of five poems by Neẓāmi, which includes the story of Laylā and Majnun, a famous love story in Persian literature. In this story, Majnun carves the name of Laylā on every tree and rock in the desert, and his love becomes known to everyone. Similarly, some warships may have been named after famous lovers or characters from Persian literature, as a way of expressing their devotion or admiration.

Literature as a metaphor for warships: Some classical Persian texts may have used warships as metaphors or similes for literary purposes, such as to convey a message, to create an image, or to evoke an emotion. For example, the Dīvān (The Collected Poems) of Ḥāfeẓ, a 14th-century poet, contains many metaphors and symbols related to the sea, the wind, the sail, and the ship. These metaphors are often used to express his feelings of love, longing, or despair, or to comment on the social and political situation of his time. For instance, in one of his ghazals (lyrics), he compares his beloved to a ship that has left him behind on the shore, and he laments his fate5. Another example is the Bustān (The Orchard) of Saʿdi, a 13th-century poet and prose writer, who uses the metaphor of a ship to illustrate a moral lesson. He tells the story of a king who wanted to test the loyalty of his subjects, so he ordered them to board a ship that was about to sink. He then observes how they behave, and he rewards or punishes them accordingly.