Where was lobster born? Omar Khayyam Nishapuri: biography

Omar Khayyam, whose brief biography is presented in this article, was born in Nishapur on May 18, 1048. Nishapur is located in eastern Iran, in the cultural province of Khorasan. This city was a place where many people from different parts of Iran and even from neighboring countries came to attend the fair. In addition, Nishapur is considered one of the main cultural centers of that time in Iran. Since the 11th century, madrasahs - schools of higher and secondary types - have operated in the city. Omar Khayyam also studied in one of them.

Biography in Russian involves translation of proper names. However, sometimes readers also need an English version, for example, when they need to find materials in English. How to translate: “Omar Khayyam: a biography”? "Omar Khayyam: biography" is the right option.

Khayyam's childhood and youth

Unfortunately, there is not enough information about them, as well as information about the lives of many famous people of ancient times. The biography of Omar Khayyam in his childhood and youth is marked by the fact that he lived in Nishapur. There is no information about his family. The nickname Khayyam, as is known, means “tent maker”, “tent maker”. This allows researchers to make the assumption that his father was a representative of craft circles. The family, in any case, had sufficient funds to provide their son with a decent education.

His further biography was marked by training. Omar Khayyam first studied science at the Nishapur madrasah, which at that time was known as an aristocratic educational institution that trained high-ranking officials for public service. After this, Omar continued his education in Samarkand and Balkh.

Knowledge gained by Khayyam

He mastered many natural and exact sciences: geometry, mathematics, astronomy, physics. Omar also specially studied history, Koranic studies, theosophy, philosophy and a complex of philological disciplines, which was included in the concept of education at that time. He knew Arabic literature, was fluent in Arabic, and also knew the basics of versification. Omar was skilled in healing and astrology, and also studied music theory.

Khayyam knew the Koran perfectly by heart and could interpret any verse. Therefore, even the most prominent theologians of the East turned to Omar for consultations. His ideas, however, did not fit into Islam in its orthodox understanding.

First discoveries in mathematics

His further biography was marked by his first discoveries in the field of mathematics. Omar Khayyam made this science the main focus of his studies. At the age of 25 he makes his first discoveries in mathematics. In the 60s of the 11th century, he published a work on this science, which brought him the fame of an outstanding scientist. Patronage rulers begin to provide him with patronage.

Life at the court of Khakan Shams al-Mulk

The rulers of the 11th century competed with each other in the splendor of their retinue. They lured away educated courtiers. The most influential simply demanded famous poets and scientists to come to court. This fate did not spare Omar either. His biography was also noted for his service at court.

Omar Khayyam first conducted his scientific activities at the court of Prince Khakan Shams al-Mulk, in Bukhor. According to the testimony of chroniclers of the 11th century, the Bukhara ruler surrounded Omar with honor and even seated him on the throne next to him.

Invitation to Esfahan

By this time, the empire of the Great Seljuks had grown and established itself. Tughulbek, a Seljuk ruler, conquered Baghdad in 1055. He declared himself the ruler of the new empire, the sultan. The Caliph lost power, and this marked an era of cultural flourishing, called the Eastern Renaissance.

These events also affected the fate of Omar Khayyam. His biography continues with a new period. Omar Khayyam in 1074 was invited to the royal court to serve in the city of Isfahan. At this time, Sultan Malik Shah ruled. This year marked the beginning of a 20-year period of his fruitful scientific activity, which, according to the results achieved, turned out to be brilliant. At this time, the city of Isfahan was the capital of the Seljuk power, which stretched from the Mediterranean Sea to the borders of China.

Life at the court of Malik Shah

Omar became an honorary confidant of the great Sultan. According to legend, Nizam al-Mulk even offered him to rule Nishapur and the surrounding area. Omar said that he does not know how to prohibit and order, which is necessary to control people. Then the Sultan appointed him a salary of 10 thousand a year (a huge amount) so that Khayyam could freely engage in science.

Observatory management

Khayyam was invited to manage the palace observatory. The Sultan gathered the best astronomers at his court and allocated large sums for the purchase of expensive equipment. Omar was given the task of creating a new calendar. In the 11th century, two systems simultaneously existed in Central Asia and Iran: solar and lunar calendars. Both of them were imperfect. By March 1079 the problem was solved. The calendar proposed by Khayyam was 7 seconds more accurate than the current Gregorian calendar (developed in the 16th century)!

Omar Khayyam conducted astronomical observations at the observatory. In his era, astronomy was closely connected with astrology, which in the Middle Ages was a science of practical necessity. And Omar was part of Malik Shah's retinue as his advisor and astrologer. His fame as a soothsayer was very great.

New achievements in mathematics

At the court in Isfahan, Omar Khayyam also studied mathematics. In 1077, he created a geometric work devoted to the interpretation of the difficult provisions of Euclid. For the first time, he gave an exhaustive classification of the main types of equations - cubic, square, linear (25 types in total), and also created a theory for solving cubic equations. It was he who first raised the question of the connection between the science of geometry and algebra.

For a long time, Khayyam’s books were unknown to European scientists who created non-Euclidean geometry and a new higher algebra. And they had to re-go through a difficult and long path, which had already been paved by Khayyam 5-6 centuries before them.

Philosophy classes

Khayyam also dealt with problems of philosophy, studying the scientific heritage of Avicenna. He translated some of his works into Farsi from Arabic, showing innovation, since at that time the Arabic language played the role of the language of science.

His first philosophical treatise was created in 1080 ("Treatise on Being and Ought"). Khayyam stated that he is a follower of Avicenna, and also expressed judgments about Islam from the perspective of Eastern Aristotelianism. Omar, recognizing the existence of God as the primary cause of existence, argued that the specific order of things is determined by the laws of nature, this is not at all the result of divine wisdom. These views were very different from Muslim dogma. In the treatise they were presented concisely and restrainedly, in the Aesopian language of allegories and omissions. Much more boldly, sometimes defiantly, Omar Khayyam expressed anti-Islamic sentiments in poetry.

Biography: poems by Khayyam

He wrote poetry only rubai, i.e. quatrains in which the 1st, 2nd, 4th or all four stanzas rhymed. He created them throughout his life. Khayyam never wrote laudatory odes to rulers. Rubai was not a serious form of poetry, and Omar Khayyam was not recognized as a poet by his contemporaries. And he himself did not attach much importance to his poems. They most likely arose impromptu, in passing.

Omar's shaky position at court

At the end of 1092, the 20-year quiet period of his life at the court of Malik Shah ended. At this time, the Sultan died under unclear circumstances. And Nizam al-Mulk was killed a month before. Medieval sources attribute the death of two of Khayyam’s patrons to the Ismailis, representatives of a religious and political movement directed against the Turkic nobility. After the death of Malik Shah, they terrorized the Isfahan nobility. The reprisals and denunciations were born of fear of the secret murders that flooded the city. A struggle for power began, and the great empire began to fall apart.

Omar’s position at the court of Malik Shah’s widow Turkan Khatun also began to shake. The woman did not trust those close to Nizam al-Mulk. Omar Khayyam worked at the observatory for some more time, but no longer received the same salary or support. At the same time, he served as a doctor and astrologer under Turkan Khatun.

How Khayyam's court career ended

The story of how his court career crashed has become a textbook today. It dates back to 1097. Sanjar, the youngest son of Malik Shah, once fell ill with chickenpox, and Khayyam, who was treating him, inadvertently expressed doubts that the 11-year-old boy would recover. The words spoken to the vizier were overheard by a servant and passed on to the sick heir. Later becoming a sultan who ruled the Seljuk state from 1118 to 1157, Sanjar harbored hostility towards Khayyam throughout his life.

After the death of Malik Shah, Isfahan lost its position as the main scientific center and royal residence. It fell into disrepair and, in the end, the observatory was closed, and the capital was moved to the city of Merv (Khorosan). Omar left the court forever and returned to Nishapur.

Life in Nishapur

Here he lived until his death, only occasionally leaving the city to visit Balkh or Bukhora. In addition, he made a long pilgrimage to Muslim shrines in Mecca. Khayyam taught at the Nishapur madrasah. He had a small circle of students. Sometimes he received scientists who sought meetings with him and took part in scientific debates.

The last period of his life was extremely difficult, associated with deprivation, as well as with melancholy, which was generated by spiritual loneliness. In the Nishapur years, Omar's fame as an astronomer and mathematician was supplemented by the fame of an apostate and freethinker. His philosophical views aroused the anger of the zealots of Islam.

Scientific and philosophical heritage of Khayyam

The biography of Omar Khayyam (brief) does not allow us to talk in detail about his works. Let us only note that his scientific and philosophical heritage is small. Unlike Avicenna, his predecessor, Khayyam did not create an integral philosophical system. His treatises concern only certain issues of philosophy, albeit the most important ones. Some of them were written in response to requests from secular or clergy. Only 5 philosophical works of Omar have survived to this day. All of them are laconic, short, sometimes occupying only a few pages.

Pilgrimage to Mecca and life in the village

After some time, clashes with the clergy became so dangerous that Khayyam was forced to make a difficult and long pilgrimage to Mecca (in his old age). In this era, travel to holy places sometimes lasted for years. Omar settled for some time in Baghdad. His biography was marked by teaching at Nizamiyya.

Omar Khayyam, about whose life, unfortunately, not much is known, returned home and began to live in a village near Nishapur in a secluded house. According to medieval biographers, he was not married and had no children. He lived a secluded life, in constant danger due to suspicion and persecution.

How Omar Khayyam spent the last hours of his life

A short biography in Russian of this scientist, philosopher and poet was written by many authors. All sources agree that the exact year of his death is unknown. The most likely date is 1123. From a source of the 12th century, a story has reached us about how Khayyam spent the last hours of his life. I heard this story from his relative Abu-l-Hasan Beyhaki. On this day, Omar carefully studied the “Book of Healing” written by Avicenna. Having reached the section “Single and Multiple,” Khayyam put a toothpick between the sheets and asked to call the right people to make a will. Omar did not eat or drink all that day. Having finished his last prayer, in the evening he bowed to the ground. Then Khayyam said, turning to God, that he knew him to the best of his ability, and that knowing him is the path to him. And he died. The photo below shows his grave in Nishapur.

From what other sources can you learn about the life of such a person as Omar Khayyam? The biography of the TSB (Great Soviet Encyclopedia) will suit you if only basic information about him is enough. You can also refer to editions of Khayyam’s books, in the preface to which descriptions of his life are often given. We have presented only basic information about such a person as Omar Khayyam. His biography, his nationality, stories from his life, poems and treatises - all this still interests many people. This speaks of the great significance of the legacy that he left, of the great role of the personality of Omar Khayyam in the history.

Name: Omar Khayyam

Age: 83 years old

Place of Birth: Nishapur

A place of death: Nishapur, Iran

Activity: Persian philosopher, mathematician, astronomer and poet

Family status: wasn't married

Omar Khayyam - biography

Omar Khayyam is a famous astronomer and mathematician, but every person is more familiar with him as a philosopher, whose thoughts fully and deeply reflect the thoughts and feelings of a person. But everyone who quotes this great man wants to know about the philosopher, his exact biography.

Omar Khayyam - childhood

Not much is known about Omar Khayyam, especially about his childhood years. The date of birth of the Persian philosopher is May 18, 1048. His birthplace was Nishapur, which is located in one of the provinces of Khorasan, which is located in the eastern part of Iran. This city was notable for the fact that very often fairs were held in it, which attracted a huge number of people, and these were not only residents of Iran, but also foreigners who lived in neighboring countries. It is worth noting that in those ancient times when the philosopher was born, his hometown of Nishapur was considered the main cultural center of the country.

Omar Khayyam - education

Omar Khayyam received his education in a madrasah, which at that time was considered a school of only the highest and middle type, so not all children were enrolled in it. By the way, the name of the Persian philosopher is literally translated as tent maker. And since no facts about his parents were preserved at all, the researchers came to the conclusion that his family members in the male line were engaged in crafts. But, despite this, there was money for my son’s education.

The madrassa where the young philosopher studied was an educational institution for aristocrats. It was believed that such institutions prepared officials for the highest rank of civil service. When his studies at the madrasah were completed, the parents sent their son first to Samarkand, where Omar Khayyam continued his studies, and then to Balkh. This education developed the child and gave him enormous knowledge. He was able to learn the secrets of such sciences as mathematics, astronomy and physics.

The young man himself not only studied diligently, receiving the knowledge that was taught to him in educational institutions, but he also studied some subjects on his own: theosophy, history, philosophy, philology and others. An educated person of that time should have known all of them. He paid special attention to the rules of versification and the Arabic language. Ideally, he also studied the art of music. He studied Omar Khayyam and medicine. He not only knew the Koran by heart, but could easily explain any part of it.

Scientific activity of Omar Khayyam

Even before finishing his studies, Omar Khayyam became known as the smartest man in his country, and many prominent people began to turn to him for advice. This was a new time for him, which opened a new page in his biography. The ideas of the young philosopher were new and unusual. Omar Khayyam made his first discoveries in the mathematical field. He was 25 years old then. When his work comes out of print, his fame as a great scientist spreads throughout the entire earth. There are also omnipotent patrons for him, since at that time the rulers sought to have scientists and educated minds in their retinue. Omar served at court, delving into his scientific activities.

At first, Omar was awarded the great honor of occupying a place of honor next to the prince, but then the rulers changed, but the honor remained for him. There is a legend that he was offered to manage his hometown and those territories that are located nearby. But he was forced to refuse, because he does not know how to manage people. For his honesty and activity, he was awarded a large salary, which would allow him to continue to engage in science.

Soon Omar Khayyam was asked to manage the observatory, which was located at the palace. The best astronomers in the country were invited to create it, and huge amounts of money were allocated so that scientists could purchase equipment. They created a calendar that is somewhat similar to the modern one. Omar studied both astrology and mathematics. It is he who owns the modern classification of equations.

The scientist was also interested in studying philosophy. At first he translated those philosophical works that had already been created. And then, in 1080, he creates his first treatise. Khayyam did not deny the existence of God, but said that any order of things is subject to natural law. But Omar could not say such conclusions openly in his writings, since this was contrary to the Muslim religion. But in poetry he could speak out more boldly. He studied poetry all his life.

Omar Khayyam - last days, death

After the death of the Sultan, Khayyam's position at the palace worsened. But trust was completely undermined after he spoke out that the Sultan’s heir would be able to recover from smallpox, which he contracted. The biography of the great scientist and philosopher changes dramatically from that moment. Soon the observatory was closed, and the scientist spent the rest of his days in his hometown. He never married, so there were no heirs. There were also fewer and fewer students every year. One day he didn’t eat or drink anything for a whole day, studying another philosophical work. Then he called people to make a will and died by evening.

Omar Khayyam today is one of the most famous historical figures. And his rubai(short quatrains with deep philosophical meaning) are published all over the world. Today it is difficult to find a person who has never heard the name of this scientist, philosopher and poet. But during his lifetime he was not so famous.

The name of Omar Khayyam gained worldwide popularity only in the 19th century thanks to an English researcher Edward Fitzgerald, who found the philosopher’s notes, translated them into English and was the first to begin researching the scientist’s works.

Biography of Omar Khayyam

One of the most significant poets and philosophers of the East was born in 1048 on Iranian soil. His parents were descendants of artisans, so the family did not live poorly. From an early age, the boy was distinguished by curiosity, perseverance, and showed analytical abilities. He mastered writing and reading very early.

Thanks to his abilities, the young man received a good education. In his homeland, he quickly became known as one of the experts on one of the most complex historical works - the Koran. People often turned to him for clarification of incomprehensible lines. Holy book.

The mind of the young scientist was appreciated - Omar was invited to the ruler’s palace, where he did research, wrote scientific works and books.

Omar Khayyam was recognized as the most unique and multifaceted scientist in history. He is the author of scientific works on various topics. This is far from complete list of his achievements:

1. Omar Khayyam is the author of the most accurate calendar in the world (even compared to the Gregorian), which he compiled as a result of numerous astronomical studies. The duration of each month was determined depending on the movement of the Sun along the Zodiacal circle (from 20 to 32 days). The scientist even proposed his own version of the names of the months, but they did not catch on.
2. The scientist is the author of a book of culinary recipes, which contains nutritional recommendations for representatives of different zodiac signs.
3. He wrote many works in the field of algebra and geometry. The most famous works are the historical and mathematical studies “Comments on the difficult postulates of the book of Euclid”, “Speech on the genera that are formed by the quart”.

But the most famous work of Omar Khayyam remains his legendary “rubaiyat”. Interestingly, researchers cannot say exactly how many poems and collections the philosopher wrote.

Personal life of a philosopher

Historians claim that Omar Khayyam, despite his thoughts about love, was not married. At least there is no information about his wife(s). The loneliness of the scientist is explained by the specific nature of the man’s activity - his research often became a reason for persecution. After all, a free-thinking scientist in an Eastern country was always in danger.

Old age and death

The scientist died at the age of 83. He lived a colorful life. But recent years have become a real test for Omar Khayyam. When the padishah died, under whose patronage the scientist and philosopher worked because of his free statements persecuted. Before his death, Omar Khayyam lived in poverty, led an almost solitary life, communicating with few people.

There are legends about the poet's death. According to one legend, Omar Khayyam enjoyed life until his last breath, was active, and wrote rubai. And one day the scientist spent time in prayer, immediately after which he died quietly.

Creation

Most modern scientists are inclined to think that all the written works of the scientist that have been found are just a small part of the research, which, most likely, was written down by the philosopher’s adherents.

The work of Omar Khayyam is an unprecedented phenomenon. The legendary rubai not only became part of the school curriculum in different countries of the world. Laconic quatrains today are sorted into quotes.

Each of the poet’s works is deep philosophical thought, presented in an accessible allegorical form. Khayyam in his works discusses not only the themes of the universe. It touches on love, problems of religion, perception of the environment.

Experts claim that among all the works classified as rubai, no more than 500 were written by Omar.

The versatility of the scientist’s talents led to the fact that until the mid-19th century, until a more detailed study of the works of Omar Khayyam began, it was believed that the author of poetry and scientific works was different people. And only thanks to the increased interest in the person of the scientist at the end of the 19th century, the versatility of the individual’s talents was confirmed.

Images taken during the scientist’s lifetime not preserved. But, despite this, hundreds of monuments to the poet have been erected around the world.

The personality of Omar Khayyam became significant figure in history. Today, the planetarium in Nishapur (Iran), one of the craters on the far side of the Moon, is named after the poet. With the development of cinema, several biographical films were made telling the story of the scientist’s life.

Omar Khayyam (1048-1131) is an outstanding mathematician and astronomer. It was he who developed methods for solving quadratic and cubic equations, defined algebra as a science, and considered issues related to irrational numbers. In astronomy, he developed the solar calendar. It was more accurate than the Julian calendar and formed the basis of the Iranian calendar, which is still used in Iran and Afghanistan to this day.

This amazing man is revered in the East as a sage. He was born into the family of a merchant in the city of Nishapur (670 km east of Tehran). At the age of 16, he lost his parents. They died from the epidemic. The young man qualified as a doctor and left for Samarkand. At that time it was one of the largest scientific centers in the world. After several years, young Omar moved to Bukhara. He lived in this city for 10 years and wrote many serious works on mathematics.

Then a very fruitful 18-year period began for Khayyam. He was invited to the city of Isfahan (340 km south of Tehran). At that time it was the capital of the powerful Seljuk Sultanate. At the head of the state was Melik Shah. His chief vizier, Nizam al-Mulk, personally recommended that the ruler take a young and intelligent man into his entourage, and very soon Omar became the spiritual mentor of the formidable Sultan and headed the palace observatory.

It was during these years that the main works on astronomy and mathematics occurred. But, as follows from life practice, happiness and well-being rarely last long. Melik Shah died in 1092. A month earlier, Nizam al-Mulk was killed by the Ismailis. The already middle-aged scientist was left without patrons.

The son of the deceased ruler, Mahmud, was proclaimed Sultan. But the boy was only 5 years old, so his mother Turkan Khatun concentrated all power in her hands. For her, astronomy and mathematics were empty words. Omar Khayyam was demoted to the position of attending physician, and a paltry salary began to be paid for work at the observatory.

In 1097, the scientist's service at court ended. The capital was moved to the city of Merv, and the observatory in Khorasan lost its central importance. Soon it was closed, and the scientist found himself out of work. On the threshold of old age, he was kicked out onto the street without being given any pension.

Very little is known about the further period of the life of the outstanding sage of the East. There is information that Omar has become a freethinker. Servants of Islam even equated him with apostates. In order to somehow justify himself in their eyes, the elderly scientist made a pilgrimage to Mecca.

The venerable old man lived the last years of his life in Nishapur. Only occasionally did he visit Balkhu and Bukhara. He lived on the money he earned by teaching at a madrasah. He regularly met with various philosophers and scientists. They themselves sought a meeting to enter into scientific disputes with him. The elder had several students. As for family life, Omar Khayyam never married and had no children. This amazing man devoted his entire life to science.

The great scientist died on December 4, 1131. He lived a long and interesting life, but was quickly forgotten by his descendants. They remembered it only in the 19th century, thanks to the English poet Edward Fitzgerald (1801-1883). He began to translate the quatrains, the so-called rubai, of the famous scientist.

In addition to mathematics and astronomy, he was fond of lyrical poetry. One of its forms is rubai - quatrains. They are widespread in the East.

They contained so much wisdom and humor that they instantly became extremely popular. In 1934, admirers of the work of the outstanding scientist and poet erected an obelisk for him. They placed it in Nishapur near the mosque in memory of the venerable Imam Mahruk. Below are the most famous and interesting quatrains. The translation from Persian was made by the Russian poet and translator German Borisovich Plisetsky.

Monument to Omar Khayyam

Poems by Omar Khayyam

For many years I reflected on earthly life,
There is nothing incomprehensible to me under the moon,
I know that I know nothing, -
This is the last secret I have learned.

I am a student in this best of the best worlds,
My work is hard: the teacher is too harsh!
Until my gray hairs I have been an apprentice in life,
Still not classified as a master...

He is too zealous and shouts: “It’s me!”
The little piece of gold in the wallet rattles: “It’s me!”
But as soon as he has time to sort things out -
Death knocks on the braggart’s window: “It’s me!”

There is a baby in the cradle, a dead man in the coffin:
That's all that is known about our fate.
Drink the cup to the bottom - and don’t ask too much:
The master will not reveal the secret to the slave.

Do not mourn, mortal, yesterday's losses,
Don’t measure today’s deeds by tomorrow’s standard,
Believe neither the past nor the future minute,
Be true to the current minute - be happy now!

Know, the favorite of fate, born in a shirt:
Your tent is propped up by rotten pillars.
If the soul is covered with flesh, like a tent -
Beware, for the tent stakes are weak!

Those who believe blindly will not find the way.
Those who think are forever oppressed by doubts.
I'm afraid that a voice will be heard one day:
“O ignoramuses! The road is neither here nor there!”

Better to fall into poverty, starve or steal,
How to become one of the despicable dishevelers.
It's better to swallow bones than to be tempted by sweets
At the table of the scoundrels in power.

It is unworthy to strive for anyone’s plate,
Like a greedy fly, risking itself.
It’s better that Khayyam doesn’t have a crumb,
What will the scoundrel feed him for slaughter!

If a worker by the sweat of his brow
He who earns bread has gained nothing -
Why should he bow to a nonentity?
Or even someone who is no worse than him?

No mortal has ever won victories over the sky.
Everyone is devoured by the cannibal earth.
Are you still intact? And you brag about it?
Wait: you'll get the ants for lunch!

Everything we see is only one appearance.
Far from the surface of the world to the bottom.
Consider the obvious in the world to be unimportant,
For the secret essence of things is not visible.

Even the brightest minds in the world
They could not disperse the surrounding darkness.
They told us several bedtime stories -
And the wise ones went to sleep, just like us.

He who follows reason milks the bull,
Wisdom is now unprofitable for sure!
Nowadays it's more profitable to play the fool,
For reason today is the price of garlic.

If you become a slave to base lust -
In old age you will be empty, like an abandoned house.
Look at yourself and think about
Who are you, where are you and where do you go next?

In this perishable Universe in due time
A man and a flower turn to dust.
If only the ashes evaporated from under our feet -
A bloody stream would rain down from the sky!

Life is a desert, we wander through it naked.
Mortal, full of pride, you are simply ridiculous!
You find a reason for every step -
Meanwhile, it has long been a foregone conclusion in heaven.

Since one cannot delay one's own death,
Since from above the path is indicated for mortals,
Since eternal things cannot be molded from wax -
There’s no point in crying about it, friends!

Having seen the frailty of the world, wait a minute to grieve!
Believe me: it’s not for nothing that your heart is pounding in your chest.
Don’t grieve about the past: what happened is gone.
Don't worry about the future: there is fog ahead...

Once you become a beggar dervish, you will reach heights.
Having torn your heart to blood, you will reach heights.
Away, empty dreams of great achievements!
Only by controlling yourself will you reach heights.

If Guria kisses you passionately on the mouth,
If your interlocutor is wiser than Christ,
If a musician is more beautiful than the heavenly Zukhra -
Everything is not a joy if your conscience is not clear!

We will leave without a trace - no names, no signs.
This world will last for thousands of years.
We weren’t here before, and we won’t be here after.
There is no harm or benefit from this.

If a mill, a bathhouse, a luxurious palace
A fool and a scoundrel receives a gift,
And the worthy goes into bondage because of bread -
I don't care about your justice, Creator!

Is this really our miserable destiny?
To be slaves to our lustful bodies?
After all, not a single person living in the world has yet
I couldn’t quench my desires!

We found ourselves in this world like a sparrow caught in a snare.
We are full of anxiety, hope and sorrow.
In this round cage, where there are no doors,
We ended up with you not by our own will.

If all states, near and far,
The conquered will lie in the dust,
You will not become, great lord, immortal.
Your lot is small: three arshins of land.

The sheikh shamed the harlot: “You, dissolute, drink,
You sell your body to everyone who wants it!”
“I am,” said the harlot, “really like that.
Are you who you say you are?”

I didn’t come to the mosque for a righteous word,
Without trying to get to know the basics, I came.
Last time I stole the prayer rug,
It was worn out to holes - I came for a new one!

Don't believe the fabrications of quiet people who don't drink,
It's like there's fire in hell for drunkards.
If there is a place in hell for lovers and drunks -
Heaven will be as empty as the palm of your hand tomorrow!

In this world there is a trap at every step.
I did not live even a day of my own free will.
They make decisions in heaven without me,
And then they call me a rebel!

Nobility and meanness, courage and fear -
Everything is built into our bodies from birth.
Until death we will become neither better nor worse -
We are the way Allah created us!

The world is fraught with both good and evil:
Everything that is built is immediately scrapped.
Be fearless, live in the moment
Don't worry about the future, don't cry about the past.

Why suffer needlessly for the sake of common happiness -
It’s better to give happiness to someone close.
It’s better to tie a friend to yourself with kindness,
How to free humanity from its shackles.

Drink with a worthy person who is no stupider than you,
Or drink with your moon-faced beloved.
Don't tell anyone how much you drank.
Drink wisely. Drink wisely. Drink in moderation.

“Hell and heaven are in heaven,” say the bigots.
I looked into myself and became convinced of the lie:
Hell and heaven are not circles in the palace of the universe,
Hell and heaven are two halves of the soul.

In this world no escape of truth will grow.
Justice has not ruled the world forever.
Don't think that you will change the course of life.
Don't hold on to the cut branch, man.

In this hostile world, don't be a fool:
Don’t you dare rely on those around you,
With a sober eye, look at your closest friend -
A friend may turn out to be your worst enemy.

Don't envy someone who is strong and rich.
Sunset always follows dawn.
With this short life, equal to a sigh,
Treat it as if it was rented to you.

He who from youth believes in his own mind,
In pursuit of the truth, he became dry and gloomy.
Claiming from childhood to know life,
Instead of becoming a grape, it turned into a raisin.

You bring shame on me in front of everyone:
I am an atheist, I am a drunkard, almost a thief!
I am ready to agree with your words.
But are you worthy to pass judgment?

For the worthy there are no worthy rewards,
I'm glad to lay down my belly for a worthy one.
Do you want to know if hell exists?
Living among the unworthy is true hell!

I asked the wisest: “What have you learned?
From your manuscripts? The wisest one said:
“Happy is he who is in the arms of a tender beauty
At night I’m far from the wisdom of books!”

You, Almighty, in my opinion, are greedy and old.
You deal blow after blow to the slave.
Paradise is the reward of the sinless for their obedience.
Would you give me something not as a reward, but as a gift!

The world is ruled by violence, anger and revenge.
What else on earth is reliable?
Where are the happy people in an angry world?
If there are, they can easily be counted on one hand.

Be careful not to be captivated by the beauty, friend!
Beauty and love are two sources of torment,
For this beautiful kingdom is eternal:
It strikes hearts and leaves hands.

O sage! If God gave you a loan
Musician, wine, stream and sunset -
Don't grow crazy desires in your heart.
If you have all this, you are immensely rich!

You and I are prey, and the world is a trap.
The Eternal Hunter is poisoning us, driving us to the grave.
It's all his own fault that happens in the world,
And he accuses you and me of sins.

O sage! If this or that fool
Calls midnight darkness dawn,
Play a fool and don't argue with fools
Everyone who is not a fool is a freethinker and an enemy!

Consider that you will change the course of the planets.
Consider that this light is not this light.
Hope you achieve what you want.
Consider it so. If not, consider it not.

Omar Khayyam Giyasaddin Abu-l-Fath ibn Ibrahim(Persian غیاث ‌الدین ابوالفتح عمر بن ابراهیم خیام نیشابورﻯ‎) - Persian and Tajik poet, astronomer and. The world-famous philosophical quatrains - rubai - are imbued with hedonic motives, the pathos of personal freedom, and anti-clerical freethinking. In mathematical works he gave an account of the solution of equations up to the 3rd degree inclusive.

Omar Khayyam was born May 18, 1048, in Nishapur. He spent most of his life in Balkh, Samarkand, Isfahan and other cities of Central Asia and Iran. In philosophy he was a follower of Aristotle and Ibn Sina.

The mathematical works of Omar Khayyam, which have survived to this day, characterize him as an outstanding scientist. In his treatise “On the Proofs of Problems in Algebra and Almukabala,” he gave in geometric form a systematic presentation of the solution of equations up to the third degree inclusive.

The treatise “Comments on the Difficult Postulates of the Book of Euclid” contains the original theory of parallels.

The treatise “On the Art of Determining the Quantity of Gold and Silver in a Body Consisting of Them” examines the famous classical problem solved by Archimedes.

Khayyam’s cycle of quatrains (“Rubaiyat”) brought him worldwide fame as a poet. Science has not yet resolved the question of which of the quatrains attributed to Omar truly belong to him. More or less firmly one can recognize the attribution of 66 rubai contained in the most ancient lists.

Standing out strikingly from the general mainstream of development of Persian lyric poetry, the author’s poetry is devoid of pretentious images and beauty; it is functionally connected with the circle of motives of his philosophy, which is clearly limited: grass growing from the ashes of the dead symbolizes the idea of ​​​​the eternal cycle of matter; potter, pottery workshop and jugs - the relationship between the creator, the world and the individual; the cult of wine, the glorification of the freethinking reveler and the denial of the afterlife allow the poet to sharply polemicize with official religious dogmas. Omar's style is extremely capacious, laconic, the visual means are simple, the verse is precise, the rhythm is flexible. The main ideas are a passionate castigation of bigotry and hypocrisy, a call for personal freedom.

In medieval Persian and Tajik poetry, Khayyam is the only poet in whose poems the lyrical hero largely appears as an autonomous personality. The poet rose to the point of alienating the lyrical hero from the king and God; This hero, a rebel and a fighter against God, an opponent of violence, questions the religious dogma about the divinely rational structure of the world.

Persian poetry is inseparable from the name of Omar Khayyam. In his quatrains - rubai there is a call to experience the fleeting earthly happiness available to a person, to feel the pricelessness of every moment spent next to his beloved. The rubai of Omar Khayyam are distinguished by the elegance of each phrase, the depth of philosophical thought, bright, memorable images, the spontaneity of the lyrical hero’s views on the world, special musicality and rhythm. A significant part of the rubaiyat is meditation on the Koran.

The poet's work contains many complex and contradictory problems. Related to this is the contradictory interpretation of his rubai by various researchers.

Khayyam led a group of astronomers in Isfahan, which, during the reign of the Seljuk Sultan Jalal ad-Din Malik Shah, developed a fundamentally new solar calendar. It was officially adopted in 1079. The main purpose of this calendar was to link Novruz (that is, the beginning of the year) as strictly as possible to the spring equinox, understood as the entry of the sun into the zodiac constellation Aries. From a purely astronomical point of view, the Jalali calendar was more accurate than the ancient Roman Julian calendar used in Khayyam's contemporary Europe, and more accurate than the later European Gregorian calendar.

Essays:

• Robayayate Khayyam, Tehran, 1335 p. g.x. (1956);
• Kolliyate asare parsiye hakime Omare Khayyam, Tehran, 1338 p. g.x. (1959);
• in Russian lane - Treatises. [Transl. B. A. Rosenfeld. Entry Art. and comment. B. A. Rosenfeld and A. P. Yushkevich], M., 1961;
• Rubaiyat. [Transl. and entry Art. V. Derzhavin], Dushanbe, 1965;
• Rubaiyat. [Transl. G. Plisetsky], M., 1972.

Literature:

• Morochnik S. B., Rosenfeld B. A., Omar Khayyam - poet, thinker, scientist, [Dushanbe], 1957;
• Aliev R.M., Osmanov M.-N., Omar Khayyam, M., 1959;
• Rosenfeld B. A., Yushkevich A. P., Omar Khayyam, M., 1965;
• Swami Govinda Tirtha, The nectar of grace. Omar Khayyam’s life and works, Allahabad, ;
• Ali Dashti, Dami ba Khayyam, Tehran, 1348 pp. g.x. (1969);
• by him, In search of Omar Khayyam, L., 1971.

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