Hunayn ibn Ishaq al-Ibadi (808 – 873) was an Arab scholar, scientist, and translator who lived during the Islamic Golden Age.
As a scholar who mastered multiple languages including Arabic, Syriac, Greek and Persian, he translated more than a hundred works with most of them being medical and scientific texts. For his deeds, he was paid a large sum, as much as provincial governors.[1]
Biography[]
In the 860s, while based in the House of Wisdom in Baghdad, Hunayn was captured and brought to the Scriptorium, where he was forced by the Order of the Ancients scholar Zahra to translate and decode manuscript that was written in a precursor language. Despite his expertise, Hunayn was unable to translate the book for it was a language he had never seen before. In order to buy more time and preserve his life, he lied about his translation progress, but remained locked inside the building and unable to escape.[2]
At one point, Hunayn was found by the Hidden One Basim Ibn Ishaq, who had managed to unlock the building and gain access. Hunayn mistook Basim for one of Zahra's guards and plead to be given more time. Basim assured Hunayn he was not here to kill him and asked Hunayn about his job scope. Hunayn showed the book to Basim, who was similarly unable to identify the language used. When Basim asked about Zahra's whereabouts, Hunayn stated that he did not know, and he simply wanted to go home. Basim nodded and asked Hunayn to get to safety before the guards returned.[2]
A few days later, Hunayn returned to the House of Wisdom, where he was found by Basim during the symposium led by Fazil Fahim al-Kemsa. When Basim asked the man why he returned so soon after the incident in the Scriptorium, Hunayn replied he could not bring himself to stay away from his books.[3]
Gallery[]
Appearances[]
- Assassin's Creed: Mirage (first appearance)
- Echoes of History (mentioned only)
References[]