Nizami Ganjavi, an erudite recluse, draws on such earlier Persian poets as Firdawsi without imitating them.

A writer of both odes and romantic lyrics, Nezami's poems convey originality of thought as well as clarity of style.

Considered the greatest romantic epic poet in Persian literature, he is celebrated for his longer poems, including the philosophical “Treasury of Mysteries,” written in 1174-75, the romantic “Khusrau and Shirin,” written in 1180, and “Laila and Majnun,” written in 1188.