What did Avicenna die from? Ibn Sina (Avicenna) biography briefly and interesting facts

What made Avicenna famous in history:

His name is Abu Ali Hussein ibn Abdallah ibn Sina (980–1037), but in Europe they call him Avicenna.

Avicenna is one of the people who left a bright mark on the history of mankind. He is known as a doctor, philosopher, mathematician, musician, poet, great scientist, whose works are left in 29 areas of science.

It is difficult to list all his talents. Sometimes nature reveals its miracles so that people do not forget about its power, and then such geniuses as Avicenna are born.

He is a Great Physician, who can be compared with Galen and Hippocrates, an outstanding naturalist on the level of Galileo, a mathematician, a physicist, a chemist, and a specialist in animal physiology. He also studied music theory, and his knowledge of this was useful during the Renaissance.

The most brilliant of his books is “The Canon of Medical Science.” But other works also went down in history and became classics - “The Book of Salvation”, “The Book of Knowledge”, “The Book of Instructions and Notes”, “The Book of Fair Trials”...

He was a harbinger of humanism, for his teaching about man is the teaching about the unity of body and soul. And when - in the 11th century. Avicenna wrote, as a rule, in Arabic. But this does not mean at all that he is part of Arab culture. Probably from his very birth he belonged to the whole world, his works became the property of all civilizations.

And yet, to this day they argue whose it is. Turkestan, on the territory of which he was born, Uzbekistan, Türkiye - all these countries consider Avicenna their heritage. The monograph “Ibn Sina - the Great Turkish Scientist” was published relatively recently in Turkey. The Persians respond by saying: “He is ours. He is buried with us. He was at the courts of the emirs." His presence is also felt in European culture - there have been rumors about him since the 12th century. This was a man of worldwide fame. And that's how it remains today. When the millennium since his birth was celebrated in the 50s of the 20th century, the whole world took part in the celebration. Huge volumes have been written about him, scientists still use his thoughts, and ordinary people learn wisdom from him.

Ibn Sina had a huge influence on classical Iranian, Uzbek, Arabic and Jewish medieval literature. His most famous story was the story “Alive, Son of the Awakening One.” Some researchers claim that she influenced the creation of Dante's Divine Comedy.

How do we know about a person who lived more than 1000 years ago? From himself and his beloved student. And this, it seems to skeptics, gives rise to doubts about his genius. Completely groundless skepticism! Because rumor, starting from the 11th century, carefully preserved the memory of his talents, which gave reason to call him a brilliant scientist. Avicenna’s own story about himself and his childhood has survived to this day. The rest was completed by Ubayd al-Jurjani, his favorite student, who spent more than 20 years of his life with him.

From the biography of Avicenna:

Ibn Sina was born in 980 in the small village of Afshana (Central Asia) near Bukhara, the capital of the Samanid state. It is known that the great Alexander the Great passed through these places, a little to the north.

Avicenna was born into a wealthy family. Father, Adallah ibn Hasan, was a tax collector. Not the most respected profession, so to speak, a publican. But at the same time he is rich, educated, and apparently not stupid. It is known that Avicenna’s father died a natural death; no one killed him or stabbed him to death for his crimes. Mother Sitara (which means “star”) comes from a small village near Bukhara, Afshana. Avicenna was born in this village. So a star gave birth to a star.

When the family moved to the capital, the gifted boy gained access to broad knowledge, because at that time Bukhara was an educational center where various philosophers, doctors, and poets actively gathered to visit the palace library.

Even in early childhood, Avicenna was distinguished by his incredible curiosity, surprising adults with constant questions. The little know-it-all was initially sent to study at a regular Muslim school, which he attended for 10 years.

Parallel school curriculum Avicena received additional training in grammar, Arabic, stylistics. When the boy was 10 years old, he already knew the entire Koran by heart, which, according to Muslim beliefs, was considered the most honorable sign.

He received his first education by studying theology. Later, the future scientist became interested in secular sciences - mathematics, medicine and philosophy. Already at the age of 20, Avicenna was known as a famous scientist.

After the Sasnids fell in his native country, Ibn Sina traveled through the courts of the Persian princes, serving as a court physician. He enjoyed authority among his European fellow doctors. The result of his medical activity was a fundamental work, an encyclopedia on medicine in 5 volumes - “The Canon of Medicine”. It instantly became popular and was translated into foreign languages, in Latin it was reprinted as many as 30 times.

Fearing Avicenna's rapidly developing popularity, Muslim theologians constantly tried to convict him of atheism and heresy. Except medical work he wrote natural science and philosophical treatises, poetry in Farsi and Arabic. The main theme of his work was a hymn to enlightenment, the eternity of matter, and a hymn to science.

From the age of 18, Avicenna absolutely consciously devoted his life to science. He wrote a lot, and his fame grew stronger. At the age of 20, he was invited to permanent service with the Khorezm Shah Mamun II in Khorezm. Mamun II was one of the best representatives powerful of the world this and, of course, the best of those whom Avicenna met on his way. This ruler can be compared, perhaps, with Lorenzo the Magnificent. He also gathered prominent people at court, invited them from everywhere and did not skimp on money, considering the development of culture and science to be of paramount importance.

He, like Lorenzo, created a circle called the Mamun Academy. There were constant debates in which many took part, including Biruni, but Avicenna usually won. His fame grew, he worked hard, he was revered, recognizing his authority in everything. He was happy.

And here a fatal figure appeared on his life horizon - Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni, the creator of the Ghazni Sultanate. By origin, he was from among the ghulams, the name given to slave-warriors of Turkic origin. This is truly from slave filth to great riches! Such people are distinguished by special arrogance, heightened ambition, self-will, and promiscuity. Having learned that the flower of culture was gathered in Bukhara, Mahmud wished that this entire scientific circle would be given to him. The ruler of Khorezm received an order: “Immediately send all scientists to me” - there, to Persia, to present-day Iran - it was impossible to disobey.

And then the ruler of Khorezm said to the poets and scientists: “Leave, run with the caravan, I can’t help you with anything else...” Avicenna and his friend secretly fled from Khorezm at night, deciding to cross the Karakum desert. What courage, what despair! For what? So as not to serve Mahmud, so as not to humiliate himself and show: scientists do not jump on command like trained monkeys.

In the desert, his friend dies of thirst - unable to survive the transition. Avicenna was able to survive. Now he is back in Western Iran. A certain Emir Qabus, himself a brilliant poet who had gathered around himself a remarkable literary constellation, joyfully received Avicenna. How similar are the figures of the Renaissance to each other, whether in Italy or in the East! For them, the main thing is the life of the spirit, creativity, and the search for truth. In a new place, Avicenna began to write his greatest work, “The Canon of Medical Science.” He lived in a house bought for him - it would seem that this is happiness!

However, the thirst for a change of place, the passion for travel, for novelty drove him all his life from places familiar and calm. Eternal wanderer! He left again, again began to wander through the lands of what is now Central Iran. Why didn't you stay with Qaboos? Among your own circle of people, in your own home, without knowing need and persecution?

Around 1023 he stops in Hamadan (Central Iran). Having cured another emir of a stomach disease, he received a good “fee” - he was appointed vizier, minister-adviser. It seems like what else can you dream of! But nothing good came of it. The fact is that he treated his service honestly, carefully delved into details and, as an extremely smart and educated person, began to make real proposals for transforming the system of government and even the army - that’s what’s amazing! But Avicenna’s proposals turned out to be absolutely unnecessary for the emir’s entourage. They had their own defense ministers! Intrigues began to weave among the courtiers. Envy and anger appeared - after all, the doctor is always so close to the ruler! Things began to take a bad turn, and it became clear that he was in danger. For some time he hid with friends, but he could not avoid arrest. And then the ruler changed, and the son of the new ruler wanted to have Avicenna around him - his fame was very great, and his practical medical skills were well known. He spent four months in prison. His imprisonment was not hopelessly difficult; he was allowed to write. Having been released, he, together with his brother and his devoted student, again set out on the road. And he ended up in the depths of Persia, Isfahan.

Isfahan – The largest city At that time, with a population of about 100,000 people, noisy, beautiful and vibrant. Avicenna spent many years there, becoming a close associate of Emir Alla Addaul. Again he is surrounded by a cultural environment, debates are held again, and a relatively calm life flows again. Here he works a lot, writes a lot, and in terms of volume most of his work was written in Isfahan. Students say that he could work all night long, occasionally refreshing himself with a glass of wine. A Muslim who invigorates his brain with a glass of wine...

Avicenna was in a hurry. As a doctor and a sage, he knew that he had little time left to live, and therefore he was in a hurry. What he comprehended then, in those ancient times, seems incredible. For example, he wrote about the role of the retina in the visual process, about the functions of the brain as a center where nerve threads converge, about the influence of geographical and meteorological conditions on human health. Avicenna was convinced that there were invisible carriers of diseases. But with what vision could he see them? Which one? He spoke about the possibility of the spread of infectious diseases through the air, described diabetes, and for the first time distinguished smallpox from measles. Even just listing what he did is amazing. At the same time, Avicenna composed poetry and wrote several philosophical works, where he posed the problem of the relationship between the material and the corporeal. Avicenna's poetry very succinctly expresses his desire to see the world as one, holistic. Here is his quatrain translated from Farsi: “The earth is the body of the universe, the soul of which is the Lord. And people and angels together give sensual flesh. Particles match the bricks, the world is made entirely of them. Unity, that is perfection. Everything else in the world is a lie.” What amazing, deep and serious thoughts!

After Avicenna managed to escape through the desert, he hid from Sultan Mahmud for a long time. The ruler persistently searched for the fugitive and even sent out 40 copies of something like a leaflet or an order with a drawing depicting Avicenna. And judging by what was able to be reconstructed from his skull, he was handsome, without any particularly pronounced oriental, Asian or European features. Mahmud was never able to bring back Avicenna (Ibn Sina). + Sultan Mahmud's successor Masud Ghaznevi in ​​1030 sent his army to Isfahan, where Avicenna was, and carried out a complete pogrom there. Avicenna experienced a real tragedy: his house was destroyed, many of his works were lost. In particular, the work in 20 parts “The Book of Justice” disappeared forever. This was one of his last books. Perhaps it contained his final, deepest thoughts. But we, apparently, will never know about them.

Its circumstances are not known either. personal life– there is no mention of this in the memoirs of students or simply contemporaries. He wrote poems about women, praising beauty, harmony and perfection. And it's all.

The number of all works by a philosopher in various sources varies. Some historians claim that he created about 453 books of various scientific direction. In Arabic literature there are about ten works of the philosopher (astronomy, chemistry, alchemy, etc.) in preserved incomplete handwritten form. They are now in libraries different countries peace.

Avicenna lived an interesting life, full of ups and downs. The Muslim scientist was never able to return to his homeland after long wanderings; he died in a foreign land in 1037.

Avicenna (Ibn Sina) died on a military campaign, accompanying the emir and benefactor of his Alla Addaul. As a doctor, he knew that his body had exhausted itself, although he was only 57 years old. Previously, he had treated himself and healed himself many times. This time Avicenna knew that he was dying, and therefore told his students: “Treatment is useless.” He was buried in Hamadan, where his tomb is preserved. In the 50s of the 20th century it was rebuilt. Here are the words of Avicenna before his death, passed on to us, our descendants, by his students: “We die in full consciousness and take with us only one thing: the consciousness that we have learned nothing.” And this was said by a man who enthusiastically devoted his entire life, energy, youth and health to knowledge.

Interesting facts from the life of Avicenna:

1. Ibn Sina’s native language is Farsi-Dari. This is the language local residents Central Asia. On it, the philosopher and scientist wrote ghazals - oriental quatrains. He said that he wrote them for himself, for the soul.

2. At the age of 10, the boy knew the holy book Koran by heart.

3. People around Avicenna were amazed at the success of the talented teenager. A teacher (a visiting elder) came to his house, teaching physics, astronomy, philosophy, geography and other subjects. Soon, the incredibly smart student reached the same level of knowledge as his home teacher, which became the reason for his independent knowledge various sciences.

4. Avicenna himself said very accurately about his years of study: “I was the best of those asking questions.”

5. At the age of fourteen, the precocious young man became interested in medicine, studied all the treatises available in the city, and even began visiting the most difficult patients in order to better understand the truths of science.

6. Ibn Sina was attracted to the practice of medicine by the famous doctor and author of the main medical textbook of that time, Abu Sahl Masihi.

7. After Avicenna cured the emir, the seventeen-year-old boy was appointed the ruler’s personal physician.

8. Gaining deep knowledge from new books in the palace library, Avicenna began to have his own students.

9. Before Avicenna explained in detail the structure of the human eye, it was believed that the eye was like a flashlight with rays of a special origin. In a short period of time, the “Canon of Medical Science” has turned into an encyclopedia of world significance, used in various countries, including the territories of Ancient Rus'.

10. Avicenna preferred to discuss serious topics in poetry. In this form he wrote such works as “Treatise on Love”, “Hay ibn Yaqzan”, “Bird”, etc.

11. Avicenna became the first doctor to define such complex diseases as plague, jaundice, cholera, etc.

12.When Ibn Sina was 20 years old, he was already the author of several books: An extensive encyclopedia. Ethics publications. Medical dictionary.

13. At the age of 18, a literate young man allowed himself to discuss with outstanding scientists of the East and Central Asia by correspondence.

14. Already at the age of 10, Avicenna realized that he had nothing left to do at school. Avicenna completely mastered the Arabic language and Farsi, grammar, stylistics, and poetics.

15. And when he started studying mathematics and medicine, he realized that medicine is an easy science and that by the age of 16 he would master it completely.

16. Ibn Sina discovered that viruses are invisible causative agents of infectious diseases, but this hypothesis was confirmed only 800 years later by Pasteur (French scientist).

17.According to Avicenna’s beliefs, science is divided into three categories: Higher. Average. Lowest.

18. Ibn Sina is the creator of the circle, which he called the Mamun Academy.

19. Avicenna discovered the distillation process essential oils.

20. Avicenna was the court physician of the Samanid emirs and Daylemite sultans, and for some time he was the vizier in Hamadan.

21. During his life he wrote more than 450 books. Of these, 29 are about science, but the rest are about philosophy and medicine. But only 274 of his works have survived to this day.

22. The scientist made a significant contribution to psychology, developing his own doctrine in matters of human temperament (division into hot, cold, wet and dry characters).

23.The philosopher’s knowledge of the pulse is impressive. He described in the book all its possible types and conditions.

24. His works in mechanics (the theory of invested force) and in music (works on the theory of vocal art) are noted.

25. Years of living in Hamadan allowed the scientist to finish the first volume of his main work - the book “The Canon of Medical Science”. This work consists of only five volumes of the following content: Volume 1: medical science - description of acute chronic diseases, their diagnosis, treatment, surgery. Volume 2: stories about simple medicines of natural origin. Volumes 3 and 4: recommendations for the treatment of diseases of human organs, body fractures. Volume 5: description of the properties of complex drugs self-cooking Avicenna, as well as with references to ancient doctors of Europe and Asia.

Wise sayings and quotes from Avicenna:

*The doctor has three weapons: a word, a plant, a knife.

*The soul of the Universe is truth.

*I avoided treachery, unraveled all the knots, Only the knot of death I could not unravel.

*Whoever does not value happiness is approaching unhappiness.

*Idleness and idleness not only give rise to ignorance, they are at the same time the cause of illness.

*I unraveled the secrets of the wisest words and deeds. From black dust to celestial bodies.

*Be moderate in food - that’s the first commandment. The second commandment is to drink less wine.

*There are no hopeless patients. There are only hopeless doctors.

*He who is old cannot burn with a young fire.

*Wisdom is what prepares us for the greatest happiness in life above.

*The soul is like glass lamp, knowledge is the light that gives fire, and the wisdom of God is oil. If the lamp is on, you are alive, if it goes out, you are dead.

* A fool and a braggart cannot keep secrets, Caution is truly beyond praise, A secret is a prisoner if you protect it, You are a prisoner of a secret, you just blabbed it.

*A doctor must have the gaze of a falcon, the hands of a girl, the wisdom of a snake and the heart of a lion.

*Tell a sick person that you have a stomach ache - a healthy person will not understand.

* Constant drunkenness is harmful, it spoils the nature of the liver and brain, weakens the nerves, causes nerve disease, and sudden death.

*If you study physical exercise– there is no need to use medications taken for various diseases, if at the same time you follow all other prescriptions.

*If I do not make a path to the hearts of people, they will not communicate with me, although they will be neither for nor against me.

*A person who exercises moderately and in a timely manner does not need any treatment, he is healthy.

*One who gives up physical exercise often wastes away, because the strength of his organs weakens due to refusal to move.

*A person would not survive alone. Everything he needs, he receives only thanks to society.

Avicenna born in 980 in the village. Afshana, near Bukhara. The month of his birth is known according to the Muslim calendar - Safar, which corresponds to the second half of August and the first half of September. The boy was given a name - Hussein.

Abdallah, the father of Ibn Sina, wanted to give his sons the most better education. He pinned special hopes on his first-born Hussein, since he was still early age showed curiosity and strived for knowledge. Smart beyond his years, Hussein already knew almost the entire Koran by heart by the age of 5. And this, it should be noted, is not given to everyone even in mature age! After this, his father sent him to school, where he studied arithmetic. Then at another school, Ibn Sina studied Muslim jurisprudence, where he was the youngest student. Soon people came to him for advice on how to apply or circumvent this or that law. And everyone received an answer to their question. Although he was only 10 years old at that time, he already understood these issues!

Really, Ibn Sina was wise beyond his years. Around the age of 12, he became interested in medicine. He studied with the famous Bukhara doctor Abu-l-Mansur Kamari. This science also turned out to be simple for him. Soon Ibn Sina began to practice independently. He read books on medicine, observed patients and made interesting conclusions. Over time, respected doctors began to come to him for advice. He was 16 years old then.

At the age of 17 Avicenna was already a famous doctor in Bukhara and was invited to the court of Nuh ibn Mansur. The court doctors could not cure the ruler of Bukhara, Nukh Ibn Mansur, and turned to the young Hussein for help. Avicenna succeeded in short term cure the ruler, and in gratitude for this the young scientist received permission to use the palace library, one of the richest in the Near and Middle East.

Since 1024 Avicenna lives in Isfahan, where the ruler of Alaud-Daula created for him all the conditions for scientific work. When Ibn Sina was about 19 years old, his father died, so he had to take care of the family. But the attitude of the authorities towards him was not favorable. Ibn Sina decides to leave the city and until his death he could not return to his homeland.

Subsequently, his entire life was spent wandering around a foreign land. He visited many rulers of that time, experiencing their favor and anger. But, despite his circumstances, he was always engaged in creative and scientific work.

IN last years own life Avicenna worked as a court physician for the Isfahan emir Alaud-Daulah.

Died Ibn Sina July 24, 1037, before reaching the full 57 years of age. He was buried near the wall of Hamaran, but after 8 months his ashes were transported to Ishafal and buried in a mausoleum. According to his will, his property was to be distributed to the poor.

The most important scientific essay Ibn Sina "Canon of Medicine"‒ a medical encyclopedia in 5 parts, which has gained worldwide fame. "Canon of Medical Science"‒ the result of the views and experience of Greek, Roman, Indian and Central Asian doctors, was republished in Latin about 30 times and for many centuries was a mandatory guide in Europe and the countries of the East, translated into many European languages.

The "Canon" sets out theoretical basis medicine, the author’s views on the philosophy of medicine, the doctrine of the so-called juices (blood, lymph, bile) and various physiques, the basics of human anatomy, the causes of disease and health, symptoms of disease are considered, the doctrine of rational nutrition is developed. Ibn Sina put forward a hypothesis about invisible pathogens of “febrile” (infectious) diseases transmitted through water and air. He was the first to draw attention to the contagiousness of smallpox, determined the difference between cholera and plague, described leprosy, separating it from other diseases, and studied a number of other diseases.

The “Canon of Medicine” was translated into Latin in the 12th century by Gerard of Cremona (1114-1187), known as the “father of translators,” and provided him with autocratic power in all medical schools of the Middle Ages for five centuries. The “Canon” was published about 30 times in Latin in Europe and until the end of the 17th century remained the main textbook of medicine not only for students, but also for doctors.

In alchemy Ibn Sina became the first critic of the idea of ​​​​transmutation of metals, which he considered impossible, and called the preparation of medicines the main task of alchemy.

Few poems have survived Avicenna in Arabic and Farsi. The main theme of his poetic work is the eternity of matter, the preaching of enlightenment and science.

Here are translations of some of his poems:

“A doctor must have the eyes of a falcon, the hands of a girl, the wisdom of a snake and the heart of a lion.”

“You can’t wish for everything around to be the way it was. What power can stop the rotating circle?

“A blind man does not see the sun even when looking at the sky. Likewise, for the ignorant, the meaning of truth is hidden behind seven locks.”

“A person who exercises moderately and in a timely manner does not need any treatment aimed at eliminating the disease”

“Idleness and idleness not only give rise to ignorance, they are at the same time the cause of illness”

“The soul is like a glass lamp, knowledge is the light that gives fire, and the wisdom of God is oil. If the lamp is on, you are alive, if it goes out, you are dead.”

Several Muslim countries are fighting for its glory. Iran considers it its own because the grave of Ibn Sina is located here. The Arabs are proud of him because he wrote in their language. The Tajiks have no doubt that he was from their tribe, since he was born on their territory ancient state. Even the Uzbeks are rightfully proud of him as a subject of the Bukhara emir, whose domain is part of modern Uzbekistan. For Europeans, Avicenna is a product of Hellenism and a herald of the Renaissance. He read the Koran and the works of Aristotle with equal rapture, and his life was full of amazing events. He was not married and had no children, but every person on earth could call him their father and teacher, and he himself was the son of ancient culture.

Bukhara

Abu Ali Hussein ibn Abdullah ibn al-Hasan ibn Aliibn Sina was born in the village of Afshana, located 30 km northeast of Bukhara, on August 16, 980. From a young age, fate was favorable to him. Firstly, he got a wonderful father who noticed the boy’s natural gifts and tried to develop them as much as possible. Hussein was sent to the school of Muslim jurisprudence, at the age of 10 he knew the Koran by heart, and at 12 he was a well-known sage in the area, to whom adults came to consult. When the famous scientist Abu Abdallah Natili came to Bukhara, his father did everything to make him stay in his house.

Comprehension of music, astronomy and geometry is given to him without difficulty, but Aristotle’s Metaphysics caused misunderstanding until Hussein picked up the comments to Al-Farabi’s Metaphysics. It is known that the great Greek philosopher not only talked about the categories of being, but also treated people, being himself the son of a doctor. Muslim culture flourished, gratefully absorbing everything that Hellenistic wisdom could give. In Islamic countries, Aristotle was highly revered, translated and commented on him. It was through Arabic translations that the great Greek came to medieval Europe to become a teacher of the West.

Tradition calls different ages Ibn Sina, when he was invited to treat the Emir of Bukhara - from 16 to 18 years old. The young man healed the ruler, and as a reward asked to be allowed into his library. Here he absorbed knowledge on the most different directions sciences, and medicine was for him one of the forms of knowledge of man and the world. He did not enjoy the wisdom of the ancients for long, as the library was burned by Muslim fanatics as a source of heresy. Ibn Sina himself was known as a heretic and all his life he experienced discomfort from contact with religious ignoramuses.

Tiny demons of disease

The year 1002 is a very significant year in the life of a scientist. Captured by Turkic nomads, Bukhara ceases to exist, and the beacon of high oriental culture will never again burn here with such brightness. Emir killed, library burned, houses civilians looted. Ibn Sina's father dies, and he himself comes under attack for apostasy from Islam. Together with his brother Mahmud, he fled, which meant certain death, since between the cities lay a waterless desert. Mahmud dies of thirst, and Hussein himself is picked up by a caravan, which takes him to the city of Urgench, the capital of the rulers of Khorezm. According to legend, one of the saviors was his future student Giurjani, who accompanied the teacher until the end of his days.

In Urgench, Ibn Sina manages to stop the raging plague. He recommends to the ruler to prohibit people from gathering in the bazaar and in the mosque, and to reinforce his case, he uses solar eclipse. He advises transferring money by dipping it in vinegar, and including garlic in the diet. Ibn Sina speculates that the cause of diseases may be tiny demons that adhere to the body, clothes and hair. Thus, he already anticipated the discovery of bacteria in the 11th century. He never took money from patients who interested him from the point of view of practical experience. To supplement the missing knowledge, he dissected corpses.

Years of wandering

In 1008, Sultan Mahmud of Ghaznavi invited the scientist to his court. He was an arrogant and uneducated ruler who rose to the top of power from the very bottom. Ibn Sina understands that he is being invited to become a court lackey, so he refuses the Sultan’s gracious offer. From that time on, he is doomed to years of wandering, fleeing the wrath of a vengeful despot.

In Hamadan, he not only treats Emir Shams ad-Dawla, but also tries to give political advice. The grateful ruler appoints him vizier. Ibn Sina is trying to organize government according to the teachings of Aristotle, according to which all power should be concentrated in the hands of noble philosophers. The emir's courtiers do not like this. They force him to leave his high post and leave the state. But soon the emir’s illness makes itself felt, and the scientist is asked to return, reinstating him as a minister.

Ibn Sina had to be imprisoned for trying to go into the service of the ruler of Isfahan. Four months later, he finally ends up in Isfahan, where he spends the most fruitful years of his life. In the service of the Isfahan ruler Ala ad-Dawla, he ends his days at the age of 56. The ashes of the great thinker of the East rest in the mausoleum of the emir in Isfahan on the territory of modern Iran.

Treasury of knowledge

Medicine was not Ibn Sina’s only hobby, although he dedicated his encyclopedic work “The Canon of Medical Science” to it. Here he not only predicted the discovery of bacteria and viruses, but also described the features and differences of diseases such as smallpox, cholera, plague and leprosy. In the “Canon,” the scientist gives many recipes for the production of medicinal potions, which were successfully used in medieval Europe.

Based on practical experience, describes the treatment of dislocations and fractures. He was the first to perform craniotomy. In the third volume of the “Canon,” the scientist examines the issues of pathology and therapy of diseases that cause fever, tumors and purulent inflammation. Descriptions of diseases are accompanied by anatomical explanations. With amazing accuracy and depth, he explains the structure of the muscles of the human eye.

Without a theoretical basis and tools, he guessed about the bactericidal properties of garlic and wormwood. Ibn Sina knew about beneficial properties bee honey, which was included in many of his recipes. He pays attention to the collection rules medicinal herbs And breathing exercises. It was Avicenna who gave detailed description symptoms and signs diabetes mellitus, and also analyzed diseases such as meningitis and stomach ulcers.

Another major work, “The Book of Healing,” oddly enough, is devoted rather to philosophical issues. Here the author shares his thoughts about music, astronomy, logic, arithmetic, geometry, psychology, biology and physics. The fundamental questions of existence, which he sets out in the “Book of Knowledge,” did not escape his inquisitive mind.

Ibn Sina became the discoverer of the distillation of essential oils and knew about the process of extracting nitric, sulfuric and hydrochloric acid, sodium and potassium hydroxides. Following Aristotle, he argued that the Earth is round. Avicenna was aware of the latest developments in the field of astronomy and even wrote the Almagest Compendium on the work of Ptolemy. He determined the longitude of the city of Gurgan using the rules of spherical trigonometry, and developed the theory of motion proposed by Aristotle.

The world after Avicenna

He lived on earth for fifty-six years. Saving many from death, he refused to treat himself when he realized that his hour of death had come. He was considered a magician and sorcerer by those who had only heard about this man. But Avicenna’s works wandered from library to library, were translated and provided food for thought. Muslim and Christian thinkers were inspired by his ideas and discoveries. The great poet of the East Omar Khayyam read the poetry of Ibn Sina, and Michelangelo admired his anatomical knowledge.

He was an intellectual marvel of the Islamic world. This was a time when Muslim countries were more educated and more cultured than the European West. Now everything has changed. But Avicenna benefited both Muslims and Christians equally. More precisely, both of them took from him as much as they could carry.

Ibn Sina absorbed all the best from ancient culture and philosophy. He helped bring antiquity back into Christian civilization. In our difficult times, his life path can serve as another argument for the reconciliation of two religions that came out of one book - the Bible.

Ibn Sina Abu Ali Hussein ibn Abdallah, also known as Avicenna (this is his Latinized name) - a famous Arab doctor, philosopher, follower of Aristotle, encyclopedist - was born in the village of Aftana near Bukhara on August 16, 980. Life path Avicenna is known quite well, since he himself described the first 30 years of his life in his autobiography, then his work was continued by a student.

Hussein's incredible talent was already noticeable in childhood. By the age of 10, he could recite the Koran by heart. The official father gave him elementary education, after which Ibn Sina was sent to school to study Muslim jurisprudence. Despite the fact that he was the youngest, the elders did not consider it shameful to turn to him, a 12-year-old teenager, for advice. A little later, Hussein turned to the study of secular sciences: philosophy, medicine, literature, mathematics, history, astronomy, etc. And if earlier he studied with teachers, then from the age of 14 he switched to independent studies. At the age of 20, he was considered a famous scientist, and as a doctor he became famous even earlier: at the age of 16 he received an invitation from the Emir of Bukhara to act as his doctor.

When Bukhara was taken by the Turks and the Samanid dynasty fell, in 1002 Ibn Sina moved to Gurganj, the capital of Khorezm, where he was given the nickname “prince of doctors.” A turning point in Avicenna’s biography occurred in 1008: the famous healer refused the invitation of Sultan Mahmud of Ghaznavi to serve him, after which he had to exchange a quiet, prosperous life for many years of wandering around Tabaristan and Khorasan, serving as the court physician of various Persian princes.

During 1015-1023. his place of residence was Hamadan. Avicenna not only was engaged in his direct activities, science, but also actively participated in political life emirate, in government affairs. The grateful patient, Emir Shams ad-Dawla, even made him his vizier, which is why some influential military men took up arms against Ibn Sina. They demanded that the emir kill the doctor, but he limited himself to expelling him, although soon due to illness he was forced to hastily search for and give him a ministerial position.

Emir Ala ad-Dawl was Avicenna's overlord for the last 14 years of his life (1023-1037); the famous healer was not only the chief physician, but also an adviser, and went on military campaigns with the emir. In Isfahan, his studies in science were encouraged in every possible way.

Avicenna's legacy included more than 450 works dedicated to 29 areas scientific knowledge, including philosophy, geology, history, grammar, poetics, chemistry, etc. Only slightly less than 300 works have survived to this day. During his lifetime, Ibn Sina more than once heard theologians accused of atheism and heretical thoughts, but this could not overshadow the enormous influence that his treatises had on the minds of his contemporaries.

Avicenna’s main philosophical work is considered to be the “Book of Healing,” consisting of sections devoted to physics, metaphysics, mathematics and logic. For many years he worked on the “Canon of Medicine,” a 5-part medical encyclopedia that brought him worldwide fame. In this work, he systematized the theory and practice of doctors in Central Asia, India, Greece, Rome; for several centuries in the East and on the European continent, doctors had to study it without fail. Classical Iranian literature was significantly influenced by literary creativity Avicenna.

A talented doctor and scientist died on June 18, 1037 from a serious disease of the gastrointestinal tract, which he could not cope with. According to his will, his property was intended for the poor, and all slaves were to be freed. Ibn Sina was first buried near the city wall of Hamadan, and less than a year later the remains were buried in Isfahan, the mausoleum of the emir.

Ibn Sina (Abu Ali Hussein Ibn Abdallah Ibn Sina) is one of the people who left a bright imprint on the history of mankind. He is known as a doctor, philosopher, mathematician, musician, poet, great scientist, whose works are left in 29 areas of science. In the West, the Persian genius was called Avicenna. Biography outstanding personality able to tell descendants about many things.

Ibn Sina was born in 980 in the small village of Afshana (Central Asia) near Bukhara, the capital of the Samanid state. The father of the popular scientist was considered a rich man and had the status of an official.

When the family moved to the capital, the gifted boy gained access to broad knowledge, because at that time Bukhara was an educational center where various philosophers, doctors, and poets actively gathered to visit the palace library.

Even in early childhood, Avicenna was distinguished by his incredible curiosity, surprising adults with constant questions. The little know-it-all was initially sent to study at a regular Muslim school, which he attended for 10 years.

In parallel with the school curriculum, Hussein additionally studied grammar, Arabic, and stylistics. When the boy was 10 years old, he already knew the entire Koran by heart, which, according to Muslim beliefs, was considered the most honorable sign.

People around Hussein were amazed at the success of the talented teenager. The father decided to take his son out of school for intensive training on an individual basis. A teacher (a visiting elder) came to his house, teaching physics, astronomy, philosophy, geography and other subjects.

Ibn Sina's family also cared about the spiritual enlightenment of their children (the philosopher also had a younger brother) and the curious young man was keenly interested in the content of the sermons of the Ismailis - opponents of orthodox Islam, who was his father and first teacher.

Soon, the incredibly smart student reached the same level of knowledge as his home teacher, which became the reason for his independent knowledge of various sciences. At the age of fourteen, the precocious guy became interested in medicine, studied all the treatises available in the city, and even began visiting the most difficult patients in order to better understand the truths of science. Ibn Sina was attracted to the practice of medicine by the famous physician and author of the main medical textbook of that time, Abu Sahl Masihi.

One day an unusual incident occurred in the palace: the head of state fell ill, but none of the court doctors could give him correct treatment. Then the young Avicenna was invited to the emir, who gave necessary recommendations and successfully identified the type of disease. After the age of seventeen, Hussein was appointed personal physician to the ruler.

Gaining deep knowledge from new books in the palace library, Avicenna began to have his own students, and at the age of 18, the literate young man allowed himself to discuss with outstanding scientists of the East and Central Asia by correspondence.

When Ibn Sina was 20 years old, he was already the author of several books:

1. An extensive encyclopedia.
2. Ethics publications.
3. Medical dictionary.

But peace in the city was replaced by war. Bukhara was captured by Turkic tribes. The capital suffered destruction and fires, including the area of ​​the palace library. The philosopher’s father died during this period, and the guy decided to leave his homeland, going to Khorezm with a trade caravan.

Medicine

In Khorezm, the young doctor found many friends, and soon his former mentors Masihi and Biruni. The local ruler of the city promoted the development of various sciences, allowing scientists to gather in the palace for fruitful communication.

Thus, for several years, Hussein and his supporters had the opportunity to quietly engage in scientific research and works.

In those years, the state prohibited opening human bodies to study their structure. Violators of the law were subject to the death penalty, but Avicenna and Masihi continued to do this in secret. And after some time, scientists were invited to the capital for a meeting with the Sultan. It was known that such invitations threatened scientists and poets with death.

Ibn Sina and the doctor decided to flee. The scientists were caught in a terrible hurricane in the desert, got lost, lost food and water, as a result of which the elderly Masihi died, and Avicenna miraculously survived. He long years he wandered, hiding from the formidable Sultan, changed names, but continued to work hard and write books.

In 1016, Ibn Sina stopped in Hamadan (the former capital of Media). At that time, poorly educated emirs ruled here, which became an advantage for Avicenna. He quickly received the position of chief physician of the local ruler and was even awarded the title of chief minister-visir.

Years of living in Hamadan allowed the scientist to finish the first volume of his main work - the book “The Canon of Medical Science”. This work consists of only five volumes with the following content:

• Volume 1: medical science - description of acute chronic diseases, their diagnosis, treatment, surgery.
• Volume 2: stories about simple medicines of natural origin.
• Volumes 3 and 4: recommendations for the treatment of diseases of human organs, body fractures.
• Volume 5: description of the properties of complex medicines prepared independently by Avicenna, as well as with references to ancient doctors of Europe and Asia.

Ibn Sina discovered that viruses are invisible causative agents of infectious diseases, but this hypothesis was confirmed only 800 years later by Pasteur (a French scientist).

The philosopher's knowledge of the pulse is impressive. He described in the book all its possible types and conditions. Avicenna became the first doctor to define such complex diseases as plague, jaundice, cholera, etc.

Before Hussein explained in detail the structure of the human eye, it was believed that the eye was like a flashlight with rays of a special origin. In a short period of time, the “Canon of Medical Science” has turned into an encyclopedia of world significance, used in various countries, including the territories of Ancient Rus'.

Philosophy

Many of the works and compositions of the great Avicenna have been lost, rewritten by illiterate translators, which makes it difficult to build an accurate picture of his philosophical opinions. But some works still survived. According to Hussein's beliefs, science is divided into three categories:

1. Highest.
2. Average.
3. Lowest.

Avicenna did not oppose the theory, unlike most scientists, that the beginning of all beginnings, the root cause of everything that exists on the planet is God. Having established the eternity of the world, he analyzed in detail the essence of the human soul, which comes in different guises and bodies (as an animal or a person) to the earth, and then returns again to its Creator.

Ibn Sina's philosophical position was subjected to severe criticism from Jewish thinkers and Sufis (esotericists in Islam), but the scientist also found many supporters and followers.

Literature and other sciences

Avicenna preferred to discuss serious topics in poetry. In this form he wrote such works as “Treatise on Love”, “Hay ibn Yaqzan”, “Bird”, etc.

The scientist made a significant contribution to psychology, developing his own doctrine in matters of human temperament (division into hot, cold, wet and dry characters). His works in mechanics (the theory of invested force) and in music (works on the theory of vocal art) are noted.

The number of all the philosopher’s works varies in different sources. Some historians claim that he created about 453 books of various scientific fields. In Arabic literature there are about ten works of the philosopher (astronomy, chemistry, alchemy, etc.) in preserved incomplete handwritten form. Now they are in libraries around the world.

Personal life

Unfortunately, from the memoirs of the students of the great Avicenna, it was not possible to establish events from his personal life. The philosopher, doctor and poet wrote many poems in which the female beauty, love, harmony, perfection. Ibn Sina traveled all his life, had no permanent place residence, so one can only guess about his status as a family man.

Death

Avicenna lived an interesting life, full of ups and downs. The Muslim scientist was never able to return to his homeland after long wanderings; he died in a foreign land in 1037. The outstanding scientist was buried in Hamaran, and 8 months after the ceremony his body was transported to Isfahal for burial in the mausoleum.

There is a legend that during his lifetime, Hussein created a potion that allowed him to live forever. He told this secret to his best student. When the teacher died, the young man tried to resurrect the old man’s body. He almost succeeded, but at the last moment, shocked by the changes in the scientist’s body during the ritual, he dropped the magic vessel from his hands and was unable to complete what he started. The body, instantly rejuvenated, again passed into a state of decrepitude.

Bibliography

• "Book of Healing"
• "Book of Directions and Instructions"
• "Book of Knowledge"
• "Treatise on the Bird"
• "Living, son of the Awakening One"
• "Salaman and Ibsal"
• "The Tale of Yusuf"
• "On the Art of Poetry"
• "Canon of Medical Science"