Although the story was somewhat popular in Persian literature in the 12th century, it was the Azeri masterpiece of Nizami Ganjavi that popularized it dramatically in Persian literature.[5] Nizami collected both secular and mystical sources about Majnun and portrayed a vivid picture of the famous lovers.[5] Subsequently, many other Persian poets imitated him and wrote their own versions of the romance.[5] Nizami drew influence from Udhrite love poetry, which is characterized by erotic abandon and attraction to the beloved, often by means of an unfulfillable longing.[6] Other influences include older Persian epics, such as Vāmiq u 'Adhrā, written in the 11th century, which covers a similar topic of a virgin and her passionate lover; the latter having to go through many trials to be with his love.[10]