DAQIQI

died c. 976, 981, Tus, Iran in full Abu Mansur Muhammad Ibn Ahmad Daqiqi poet, one of the most important figures in early Persian poetry. Very little is known about Daqiqi's life. A panegyrist, he wrote poems praising various Samanid princes, and much lyrical poetry, but he is remembered chiefly for an uncompleted epic dealing with the introduction of Zoroastrianism and the conflicts and exploits of mythical heroes from the Persian past. He paved the way for the great Ferdowsi, who included Daqiqi's verses in his own Shah-nameh (Book of Kings). Although Daqiqi cannot be wholly credited with originating the metre and style that became dominant in Persian epic literature, he most certainly contributed a great deal to its creation. He was murdered by his Turkish slave.