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Abstract

Researchers of intellectual history of Islamic period count truly H?unayn b. ’Ish??k? (died 260 A.H.) as the representative of Greek-Roman culture in the first Abbasid age. He was considered as a strong translator, a skilled physician and as one familiar with Christian philosophy and theology. Undoubtedly H?unayn can be counted as the greatest translator of the translation movement in the Abbasid age, as the old sources have also named him “Shaykh al-Mutardjim?n” (the master of translators). He had his own style and school of translation. In H?unayn’s opinion each translation depends on the ability of translator and the taste and knowledge of one orders it. Therefore in translating different texts, somewhere he attempts to give an extensive account, but elsewhere provides an intensive summary; despite there are certain characteristics in H?unayn and his followers’ style of translation.
This research considers episodes of H?unayn’s scientific life, his style of translation, his students and also the relation between his circle and the scientists and statesmen of that time.