World literature: Who was Firdausi (Firdawsi/Ferdowsi)? Identify the author and his most famous epic poem in Persian literature. Choose the correct description.

What is being asked?
The literary identity of Firdausi and his major work.

Given data

• Name variants: Firdausi, Ferdowsi, Firdawsi

Concept/Approach
Associate classical authors with their hallmark works.

Reasoning
Firdausi is celebrated as a Persian poet and the author of the national epic of Iran, the Shahnameh (Book of Kings).

Common pitfalls
Confusing him with Ibn Khaldun (Al-Muqaddimah), Aryabhata (Aryabhatiya), or Confucius (Analects).

Final Answer
A Persian poet who authored the epic Shahnameh