Abū ʿUthmān al-Dimashqī

[Peter Tarras]

Dear NASCAS members,

I was wondering whether there exists any historical information on the religious affiliation of the well-known 9th/10th-century translator Abū ʿUthmān al-Dimashqī. I could not find anything in that direction in Ibn al-Nadīm, al-Qifṭī or Ibn Abī Uṣaybīʿa. Apparently, people connect him to the circle of translators around Ḥunayn ibn Isḥāq (cf. http://menadoc.bibliothek.uni-halle.de/iud/content/pageview/256901), yet, as far as I can see, only on the basis of his interests in philosophical and medical literature (maybe also due to his translation style?) [al-Qifṭī seems to indicate that he corrected some of Iṣḥāq’s translations]. I suppose his nisba (together with his profound knowledge of Greek) could be taken as an indication of Melkite affiliation? But as I said, the sources do not not even seem to mention that he was a Christian. I would be grateful for any hints, suggestions, etc.

Many thanks,

Peter 

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Peter Tarras, M.A.

Universität Würzburg

Institut für Philosophie

Arabic and Latin Glossary

Reisdenzplatz 2

97070 Würzburg

[gianmaria gianazza]

He is one of the 14 famous translators mentioned by Michael Marmura (“Falsafah”, The Encyclopedia of Religion, vol V, 268). He is mentioned by Louis Cheikho as a christian (Louis Cheikho, ʿUlamāʾ al-naṣrāniyyah fī al-Islām (622-1300), ed. Camille Héchaimé, PAC 5, Beirut-Cedrac 1983, number 90).

gianmaria gianazza: ggia...@hotmail.com; gmgia...@gmial.com

[Peter Tarras]

Dear Gianmaria,

many thanks! Unfortunately, I do not have access to Louis Cheikho’s book, which sounds particularly interesting. Could you send me the entry on al-Dimashqī?

Best wishes,

Peter

 

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[gianmaria gianazza]

Il giorno giovedì 19 marzo 2020 09:47:36 UTC+2, tarras-jr ha scritto: