About Ibn Zura
Lived 943 – 1008 (aged 64–65). Ibn Zura was a physician, philosopher, scientist, interpreter and businessperson.
Abū ʿAlī ʿĪsā ibn Isḥāq ibn Zurʿa (; 943–1008) was a medieval Syriac Orthodox physician and philosopher.
Ibn Zurʿa was born in 943 in Baghdad, then the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate. In theology and philosophy, he was a student of Yahya ibn Adi. He also studied medicine and was renowned as a physician, according to Ibn Abi Usaybi'a. According to Abu Hayyan al-Tawhidi, he was accused of treason for engaging in trade with the Byzantines. Convicted, his possessions were confiscated and he died in Baghdad in 1008.
Ibn Zurʿa's works are listed in the Fihrist. He translated several works from Syriac into Arabic. His translations include Aristotle's History of Animals and Sophistici elenchi and Proclus' commentary on Plato's Phaedo. He also translated a commentary by Nicolaus of Damascus on Aristotle. He wrote original works on logic and intellection.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Ibn Zura's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Ibn Zura's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Ibn Zura?
Syriac philosopher and physician (943–1008)
When was Ibn Zura born?
Ibn Zura was born in 943 in Baghdad.
When did Ibn Zura die?
Ibn Zura died in 1008 in Baghdad.
What was Ibn Zura's occupation?
Ibn Zura was a physician, philosopher, scientist, interpreter and businessperson.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ibn Zura. https://biography.guide/ibn-zura/
MLA: "Ibn Zura." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ibn-zura/.
Chicago: "Ibn Zura." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ibn-zura/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:04 UTC