House of Wisdom - Definition and Overview

The House of Wisdom was a institution for education and research founded by the caliph al-Ma'mun. It recruited and supported the most talented scholars, including Mohammed ibn Musa al-Khawarizmi, the Bana Musa brothers - (Mohammed Jafar ibn Musa, Ahmad ibn Musa, Hunain ibn Ishaq and al-Hasan ibn Musa) - and Abu Yusuf Yaqub ibn Ishaq al-Sabbah al-Kindi. Among the most important activities of the House was the task of translating Greek manuscripts into Arabic. Scholars associated with the House also authored numerous original works.

The House of Wisdom flourished under al-Ma'mun's successors al-Mu'tasim and al-Wathiq, but declined under the reign of al-Mutawakkil.