This book, a translation from Persian into English, presents a careful selection of Omar Khayyam’s often misrepresented and misquoted poetry, and is the first of its kind in capturing the philological essence of this unparalleled Quatrain poet, known for his extensive contributions to mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, and Persian literature. As a novel work of translation of this important Persian poet and mathematician, this book extends from the first available translation into English by Fitzgerald in the 19th century. Khayyam’s poetics tap into a mind of a polymath and scientist in conflict with existential dilemmas prevalent in his environment. His simplicity, as evidenced in his poetic facility and his nonchalance,  dismantles anxieties of sin and preoccupation of the unknown under the rubric of the human condition - exemplary for his time and place, and speaking to an angst expressed with synesthetic beauty. A key translation from Persian into English, this is a timely updated text from a leading scholar in the field, relevant to advanced students and scholars in classical Persian literature, Persian history, and philosophy.

Homa Katouzian is an economist, historian, sociologist, and literary critic, with a special interest in Iranian Studies. Amongst numerous books, articles, and other publications in sociology, economics, history, he has dozens of works in Persian Literature. He is currently a faculty member of the Faculty of Asian And Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Oxford.