The article presents a political and textological analysis of the concept of an “ideal ruler” in the poem “Shahnameh” by A. Ferdowsi. Political textology is a new discipline that arose as a synthesis of philology, history and political science, and it involves the study of a variety of sources, including those not directly related to political theory. In the scientific world the poem of Abulkasim Ferdowsi (940-1020) "Shahnameh" was studied mainly by philologists, historians and archaeologists, therefore the political and textological analysis of this monument of world culture seems to be very relevant for political science. Based on the poem, which is the pearl of world literature, and the works of modern researchers, the authors not only seek to consider the work from the viewpoint of political textology, but also set themselves the task of conceptualizing the socio-political ideas contained in it. The analysis of the poem "Shahnameh" showed that the meaning of power, which is a key category of political science, according to A. Ferdowsi is the establishment of the laws of truth and justice. The Creator gives the ruler the power to fight the forces of evil. If the sovereign forgets his mission, then he loses the grace of God, and, as a result, his power. Based on the political-textological analysis of the socio-political ideas expressed in the work “Shahnameh” in poetic form, it can be concluded that the best type of government for A. Ferdowsi is an enlightened monarchy. And the best state, in the poet's mind, is the state that affirms the law of the Creator. The “ideal ruler” in the poem “Shahnameh” by A. Ferdowsi must have four important characteristics: the ability to distinguish between good and evil, righteousness, valor and nobility. The article emphasizes that the stories of kings and warriors described in the “Shahnameh” can be considered the keys to understanding Iranian political culture. The object of the research is the poem "Shahnameh" by A. Ferdowsi, the subject is the concept of the "ideal ruler".
