Erotic representation is present as sub-text or a component in diverse texts in Iranian literature of all periods. In premodern literature, erotic references abound in historical chronicles, courtly narratives, polemical and prescriptive religious prose and poetry on the conduct of self, narrative and lyrical love poetry, and in written and oral folklore. This entry primarily discusses selected modern literature as a general guide and addresses representation as both representations of and representations by.

Kamran Talattof argues that “Persian literary history is …