Famous People Born In 121

Marcus Aurelius played an important role in the Roman Empire. A Stoic philosopher, Marcus was part of the Five Good Emperors and the last emperor of the Pax Romana—a 200-year-long period of relative peace in the Roman Empire. Also a writer, his work Meditations is regarded by many as one of the greatest works of philosophy.

Also known as the Emperor Shizu of Yuan, Kublai Khan served as the fifth khagan of the famous Mongol Empire. After the division of the empire, Kublai Khan founded the Yuan dynasty in China and ruled as the first Yuan emperor from 1271 until his death in 1294. Hence, he played an important role in re-creating a militarily powerful China.

Saadi Shirazi was a Persian prose writer and poet of the medieval period. He is often counted among the greatest poets who explored the classical literary tradition. Nicknamed the Master, Shirazi has also been quoted in the Western traditions. One of his best known works Bustan has been named by The Guardian in its 100 greatest books of all-time list. 

The son of Setnakhte, the founder of the 20th dynasty in Egypt, Ramesses III, or the warrior Pharaoh, had a long reign that was marked by peace and his successful defense against foreign invasions. Studies suggest he was assassinated in a coup led by one of his wives.

Farinata degli Uberti was an Italian aristocrat who also served as the military leader in Florence, where he led the Ghibelline faction that supported the Holy Roman Emperor. During his lifetime, Farinata degli Uberti may have come across as being a heretic to his contemporaries, including Dante Alighieri.

The Swedish statesman and Jarl of Sweden, Birger Jarl virtually ruled Sweden from 1248 until his death in 1266 (on behalf of his son/king Valdemar). He had a crucial role in the consolidation of Sweden and establishing Swedish rule in Finland. He is also traditionally credited as the founder of Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, though this is disputed.

Pope Celestine V was the founder of the order of the Celestines of the Benedictine order. Though he became a pope in his 80s, Celestine proved to be highly inefficient and resigned, becoming the first pope to do so. In his final years, he was imprisoned in the Fumone castle.

The son of a feudal baron, Thomas de Cantilupe was educated at Oxford, Orléans, and Paris, and later taught canon law. He also served as the chancellor of England and the bishop of Hereford. In the Second Barons' War, he was the barons’ representative before King Louis IX of France.

Al-Busiri was a Muslim poet and pupil of Sheikh Abul Abbas al-Mursi. He is best remembered for his magnum opus, Poem of the Mantle, which is one of the most famous poems praising the Islamic prophet Muhammad. In the poem, Al-Busiri claims that the prophet cured him of paralysis.

William of Moerbeke was a translator best remembered for translating important scientific, medical, and philosophical written materials from Greek to Latin. He is credited with translating some of Aristotle's works, including Politics. William of Moerbeke's translations were influential and his works are still revered by modern scholars.

Fakhr-al-Din Iraqi was a Persian Sufi master, writer, and poet. He is best remembered for authoring a collection of lyric poetry. Fakhr-al-Din Iraqi’s best known work Lama’at or Divine Flashes has been translated into Swedish, French, and English. 

Guido delle Colonne was a 13th-century Italian writer and judge. He is credited with authoring History of the destruction of Troy, an elaborate narrative of the famous Trojan War. The book was widely translated and Guido is credited with bringing the legend of Troy to Italy. Guido delle Colonne's works were praised by the popular Italian poet Dante Alighieri.

Maria of Chernigov was a Russian aristocrat who became Princess of Rostov upon her marriage to Prince Vasilko Konstantinovich of Rostov. She later became the regent of Rostov and played an important role during the reign of her son Boris Vasilkovich of Rostov, who was still a minor when he was given the throne.

Jia Sidao was a Chinese statesman who served as the grand chancellor of the Song Dynasty from 1260 to 1275. He also played a major role in the Battle of Xiangyang. Jia Sidao was played by actor Chin Han in the 2014 TV series Marco Polo.