The Knight in the Panther's Skin is a Georgian medieval epic poem, consisting of over 1600 shairi quatrains, written in the 12th century by the Georgian epic poet Shota Rustaveli, the "crown and glory of the Georgian culture." It is considered as the "masterpiece of the Georgian literature" which held for centuries a prominent place in the heart of Georgians, majority of whom is able to quote whole stanzas from the poem. 2] Until the early 20th century, a copy of this poem was part of the dowry of any bride. 3] 4] Rustaveli with the entire wealth of the old Georgian written culture by following the best traditions of the Georgian folklore, developed and raised the Georgian poetry to an unprecedented heights, poetry which would describe the highest ideals and aspirations of the Georgian nation.