The Knight in the Panther's Skin (Georgian: ვეფხისტყაოსანი Vepkhist'q'aosani meaning "Man in tiger's skin", "Owner of tiger's skin") is an epic poem, consisting of over 1600 shairi quatrains, was written in the 12th century by the Georgian epic-poet Shota Rustaveli, who was a Prince and Treasurer at the royal court of Queen Tamar of Georgia. The Knight in the Panther's Skin is often seen as Georgia's national epic. The poem has been highly praised by literary critics for its language and dramatic effect. The poem was first printed in 1712, in Tiflis (modern-day Tbilisi).