"Caesar Makes a Talisman", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) 1305 - 1365

"Caesar Makes a Talisman" is a folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), an epic poem written by the Persian poet Abu'l Qasim Firdausi between 1305 and 1365. The folio depicts a scene from the epic, where the Roman emperor Julius Caesar is making a talisman. The illustration is in a style typical of Persian miniature painting, with detailed figures and a vibrant color palette. The script surrounding the miniature is in Persian and is part of the epic poem. The Shahnama, or "Book of Kings", tells the history of Persia from its mythical origins to the 7th century CE, and remains a foundational text of Persian literature and culture.