Abu Firas al-Hamdani | |
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![]() 1963 Syrian postage stamp with a modern representation of Abu Firas | |
Born | Al-Harith ibn Abi'l-Ala Sai'd 932/933 probably Baghdad |
Died | 4 April 968 (age 35-36) |
Occupation(s) | Governor, military leader and poet |
Years active | 948–968 |
Notable work | al-Rūmiyyāt |
Al-Harith ibn Abi’l-ʿAlaʾ Saʿid ibn Hamdan al-Taghlibi (932–968), better known by his pen name Abu Firas al-Hamdani (Arabic: أبو فراس الحمداني), was an Arab prince and poet. He was a cousin of Sayf al-Dawla and a member of the Hamdanid dynasty, who were rulers in northern Syria and Upper Mesopotamia during the 10th century. He served Sayf al-Dawla as governor of Manbij as well as court poet, and was active in his cousin's wars against the Byzantine Empire. He was captured by the Byzantines in 959/962 and spent several years at their capital, Constantinople, where he composed his most famous work, the collection of poems titled al-Rūmiyyāt (الروميات). He was ransomed in 966, and was killed in 968, when he raised a revolt against his nephew Sa'd al-Dawla, Sayf al-Dawla's successor. He is considered among the greatest figures of classical Arabic poetry.
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