1207 CE - 1273 CE: Life of the Persian poet Rumi, considered one of the greatest literary artists in the world.

1215 CE: Rumi's father flees Balkh, Afghanistan to escape invading Mongols; moves family to Konya, Anatolia.

1228 CE: Rumi is a highly-respected teacher and theologian living in Konya. When his father dies, he assumes his role as head of the religious community.

1244 CE: Rumi meets the Sufi mystic Shams-i-Tabrizi and the two become inseparable friends.

1248 CE: Shams-i-Tabrizi disappears; Rumi recognizes their spiritual connection is ongoing and begins to compose verse.

1248 CE - 1273 CE: Rumi composes mystical poetry for the rest of his life, including his famous work, the Masnavi, still unfinished at the time of his death.