Sughrat Manuscript Illustration

What it is

This is a page from an illustrated manuscript created by a 13th-century Seljuk illustrator, attributed to Al-Mubashshir ibn Fatik. It depicts Socrates, called Sughrat in Arabic, and is kept at the Topkapi Palace Library in Istanbul, Turkey.

Why it matters

This manuscript shows how Socrates's reputation spread into the medieval Islamic world, where scholars preserved and studied Greek philosophy. The image shows Socrates seated with his head bowed, surrounded by younger men, one gesturing upward, suggesting a scene of teaching or discussion.

Why it matters

This artifact reveals that Socrates was not only remembered in the Greek and Roman world but also became an important figure for Islamic scholars like Al-Mubashshir ibn Fatik, who compiled sayings and depictions of ancient philosophers.

Look closer

• What might the gestures of the two younger men suggest about the conversation taking place?
• Why might a 13th-century Islamic scholar choose to illustrate Socrates in this way?
• What does this manuscript tell you about how ideas crossed cultures and centuries?