"Alexander Executes Janusiyar and Mahiyar, the Slayers of Darius", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi

dated A.H. 887/1482 CE · Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper · Islamic Art

Alexander the Great figures prominently in Persian literature and histories, including in the Shahnama, where he is described as the half-brother of the Persian king Darab, who is sometimes considered to be the historical figure Darius. Alexander and Darius go to war, and Darius’s attendants decide to kill him and pledge their allegiance to Alexander. When Alexander discovers the dying Darius, however, he tells him of their common parentage and executes Janusiyar and Mahiyar.

Artist

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi

Date

dated A.H. 887/1482 CE

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Samuel D. Lee Fund, 1940