Bar hebraeus

Bar Hebraeus (also known as Abu al-Faraj) was a prominent Syriac Orthodox polymath during the Middle Ages. His contributions spanned a wide range of fields, including theology, philosophy, medicine, and history. He is particularly known for his work in the field of Syriac literature and for his efforts in consolidating and translating Greek and Arabic works into Syriac.

Life

Bar Hebraeus was born in 1226 in Malatya, in present-day Turkey. His father, a Jewish convert to Christianity, was a physician. Bar Hebraeus was educated in Antioch and later moved to Aleppo, where he was ordained as a bishop at the age of twenty. He spent the rest of his life in scholarly pursuits, writing extensively on a wide range of subjects.

Works

Bar Hebraeus's works are extensive and varied. His most significant work is perhaps the Chronicon Ecclesiasticum, a church history that covers the period from the creation of the world to his own time. He also wrote a number of theological and philosophical treatises, as well as works on medicine, law, and grammar.

Legacy

Bar Hebraeus's contributions to Syriac literature and scholarship are immense. His works continue to be studied and referenced by scholars today, and his efforts in preserving and translating Greek and Arabic works have ensured their survival and accessibility to future generations.

See also

• Syriac literature
• Syriac Orthodox Church
• Chronicon Ecclesiasticum

References

• Bar Hebraeus: A Bio-Bibliography by Hidemi Takahashi
• The Syriac World edited by Daniel King