Averroes

14 April 1126 – 11 December 1198

Averroes (Ibn Rushd) was an Andalusian polymath, philosopher, jurist, and physician from Cordoba who served the Almohad caliphs. His extensive commentaries on Aristotle earned him the title 'The Commentator' in medieval Europe, where his works profoundly shaped scholastic philosophy.

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Life events

Born in Cordoba, al-Andalus
14 April 1126

Averroes was born into a prominent family of jurists in Cordoba; both his father and grandfather served as chief judges of the city.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Educated in law, medicine, and philosophy in Cordoba
c. 1140

He received a traditional education in hadith, jurisprudence, medicine, and theology, studying medicine with Abu Jafar Harun of Trujillo.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Completed the medical encyclopedia 'al-Kulliyyat' (Colliget)
c. 1162

Averroes wrote his general medical encyclopedia, known in Latin as the Colliget, which was widely used in Europe for centuries.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Introduced to the Almohad caliph Abu Yaqub Yusuf by Ibn Tufayl
c. 1169

The philosopher Ibn Tufayl presented Averroes at the Almohad court, where the caliph encouraged him to write commentaries on Aristotle.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Appointed qadi (judge) of Seville
1169

Averroes was appointed judge in Seville, beginning a long judicial career in the Almohad state.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed qadi of Cordoba
1171

He returned to his native Cordoba to serve as judge, later rising to the position of chief judge.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed court physician to the Almohad caliph
1182

He succeeded Ibn Tufayl as royal physician to Caliph Abu Yaqub Yusuf in Marrakesh.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Banished to Lucena and works ordered burned
c. 1195

Amid political pressure, Caliph al-Mansur banished Averroes to Lucena near Cordoba and ordered many of his philosophical writings burned.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Restored to favor and recalled to Marrakesh
c. 1197

Shortly before his death, Averroes was pardoned and returned to the Almohad court in Marrakesh.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Relocation ✓
Died in Marrakesh
11 December 1198

Averroes died in Marrakesh; his remains were later transferred to the family tomb in Cordoba.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓