The Simurgh, a benevolent Persian mythological creature, carrying Zal to her nest. From Shah Namah (or Shahnameh), the Book of Kings, a 10th century epic by Persian poet Abu ?l-Qasim Firdowsi Tusi (c. 940–1020), or Ferdowsi (also transliterated as Firdawsi, Firdusi, Firdosi, Firdausi). It is the world's longest epic poem created by a single poet, and the national epic of Greater Iran.