Omar Khayyám
Omar Khayyám: A Life of Mathematics, Poetry, and Wisdom
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Omar Khayyám was a renowned Persian polymath, mathematician, astronomer, philosopher, and poet. His full name is `Ghiyath od-Din Abu'l-Fath Omar ibn Ibrahim al-Nishapuri`, but he is commonly known as Rumi's contemporary and one of the most celebrated poets in Persian literature.
Birth and Death Dates
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Omar Khayyám was born on May 18, 1048 CE (May 4, 1048 AH) in Nishapur, a city located in northeastern Iran. He died on December 4, 1131 CE (November 21, 1131 AH), but his exact place of death is unknown.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Khayyám was a Persian national, and his profession spanned multiple fields: mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, and poetry. He was one of the most influential mathematicians of the Middle Ages and made significant contributions to algebra and geometry.
Early Life and Background
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Omar Khayyám's family was from the region of Nishapur, which was a major cultural and intellectual center in the 11th century. His father, Ibrahim Khayyám, was a respected merchant and a Muslim. Omar's early life is shrouded in mystery, but it is believed that he received a comprehensive education in mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, and literature from a young age.
Major Accomplishments
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Khayyám's most notable achievement is the compilation of mathematical tables, which included trigonometric functions, logarithms, and astronomical observations. His work on algebra and geometry laid the foundation for later mathematicians, such as René Descartes and Pierre-Simon Laplace.
Notable Works or Actions
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Khayyám's most famous works are his Ruba'i (quatrains) poetry collections. The Ruba'i is a unique form of Persian poetry that consists of four-line stanzas with a specific rhyme scheme. Khayyám's poems offer wisdom, philosophical insights, and critiques on the social conventions of his time.
Impact and Legacy
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Khayyám's impact on literature, mathematics, and astronomy cannot be overstated. His Ruba'i poetry collections have been translated into many languages and continue to inspire readers worldwide. His mathematical contributions paved the way for later mathematicians, while his astronomical observations were used by European astronomers during the Renaissance.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Omar Khayyám is widely quoted and remembered due to his profound wisdom, poetic genius, and groundbreaking scientific contributions. His Ruba'i poetry collections offer timeless insights into human nature, philosophy, and the search for meaning in life. His legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of intellectual curiosity, creativity, and innovation.
Quote: "The moving finger writes, and having written, moves on." - Omar Khayyám
Quotes by Omar Khayyám
Omar Khayyám's insights on:
While the Rose blows along the River Brink, With old Khayyam the Ruby Vintage drink: And when the Angel with his darker Draught Draws up to thee – take that, and do not shrink.
With them the Seed of Wisdom did I sow, And with my own hand labour’d it to grow: And this was all the Harvest that I reap’d – “I came like Water, and like Wind I go.
Dreaming when Dawn’s Left Hand was in the Sky I heard a Voice within the Tavern cry, “Awake, my Little ones, and fill the Cup Before Life’s Liquor in its Cup be dry.
Your hand can seize today, but not tomorrow; and thoughts of your tomorrow are nothing but desire. Don’t waste this breath, if your heart isn’t crazy, since “the rest of your life” won’t last forever.
Today is the time of my youth I drink wine because it is my solace; Do not blame me, although it is bitter it is pleasant, It is bitter because it is my life.
The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ, Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.
How sad, a heart that does not know how to love, that does not know what it is to be drunk with love. If you are not in love, how can you enjoy the blinding light of the sun, the soft light of the moon?
Realise this: one day your soul will depart from your body and you will be drawn behind the curtain that floats between us and the unknown. While you wait for that moment, be happy, because you don't know where you came from and you don't know where you will be going.
Give me a flagon of red wine, a book of verses, a loaf of bread, and a little idleness. If with such store I might sit by thy dear side in some lonely place, I should deem myself happier than a king in his kingdom.