Miniature from a copy of Firdawsi’s Shah-nama made for Qiwamuddawla wa’l-Din Hasan. “Iskandar Contemplates the Peoples Gog and Magog”
Iran, Shiraz; 741 H = 1341
Leaf: 36 × 29.5 cm

This miniature comes from a manuscript made for the Injuid prince Abu Shaq’s vizier Qiwamuddawla wa’l-Din Hasan.

Iskandar – Alexander the Great – was transformed in the Shah-nama into a son of King Darab (Darius II) and the daughter of Philip of Macedonia. There is consequently nothing strange about Iskandar vanquishing his half-brother Dara (Darius III) and becoming ruler of Iran.

Iskandar was viewed as a very wise prince and is mentioned indirectly in the Koran as the one who enclosed the barbaric peoples Gog and Magog behind an impenetrable wall. The same story is told here in the “Book of Kings.”

Inv. nr. 13/1990
Source: David Collection, Copenhagen

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Copenhagen, The David Collection
Title of Work: Shahnama (1341)
Manuscript: 13/1990
Scene: Iskandar builds a wall against Gog and Magog
English Title: Iskandar in the land of Gog and Magog
Dimensions (h x w): 140 x 240 mm
Format: Stepped within borders
Reconstructed Folio: 208r
Hijri Date: 741
Gregorian Date: 1341
School: Shiraz (Inju)
Source: Shahnama Project