- Father was a prominent figure in Cordoba, but was forced to relocate to Malaga due to a political crisis in 1013. - Born in Malaga, Spain around 1021. - Parents died when he was very young. Presumably survived off his father's wealth and prestige. - Was befriended, supported and protected by Yekutiel ibn Hassan al-Mutawakkil ibn Qabrun and moved to Saragossa. - Began studying the Talmud, Hebrew and Arabic, and astronomy, geometry and philosophy, and began writing poetry in his teens. - Unfortunately, was also inflicted by a severe skin condition in his teens, which plagued him for the rest of his life. - When Gabirol was 17 (~1038), Yekuthiel was killed in a political assassination. Wrote a great deal of poetry mourning this loss. - Lost a great deal of his financial backing and political standing after Yekuthiel's death. - Around age 20, wrote Anak. - Wrote a significant amount of critical poetry about prominent members of the Jewish community, particularly for their neglect of the Hebrew tongue, and made many enemies. - Left Saragossa sometime around 1045 (~age 24), possibly banished. - Spent several years wandering. - Traveled to Granada and found a new patron, Samuel ibn Nagdela, though they had a falling out before long. - Probably wrote Fons Vitae during this time (~late 20's). - Spent the remainder of his life wandering. - Most likely died around 1058 (~age 37) in Valencia. The story of his death seems to be considered a legend, rather than fact, IRL, but given the nature of Fate, I'm going to assume that it's the reality of what Avicebron remembers.
probable life history
- Born in Malaga, Spain around 1021.
- Parents died when he was very young. Presumably survived off his father's wealth and prestige.
- Was befriended, supported and protected by Yekutiel ibn Hassan al-Mutawakkil ibn Qabrun and moved to Saragossa.
- Began studying the Talmud, Hebrew and Arabic, and astronomy, geometry and philosophy, and began writing poetry in his teens.
- Unfortunately, was also inflicted by a severe skin condition in his teens, which plagued him for the rest of his life.
- When Gabirol was 17 (~1038), Yekuthiel was killed in a political assassination. Wrote a great deal of poetry mourning this loss.
- Lost a great deal of his financial backing and political standing after Yekuthiel's death.
- Around age 20, wrote Anak.
- Wrote a significant amount of critical poetry about prominent members of the Jewish community, particularly for their neglect of the Hebrew tongue, and made many enemies.
- Left Saragossa sometime around 1045 (~age 24), possibly banished.
- Spent several years wandering.
- Traveled to Granada and found a new patron, Samuel ibn Nagdela, though they had a falling out before long.
- Probably wrote Fons Vitae during this time (~late 20's).
- Spent the remainder of his life wandering.
- Most likely died around 1058 (~age 37) in Valencia. The story of his death seems to be considered a legend, rather than fact, IRL, but given the nature of Fate, I'm going to assume that it's the reality of what Avicebron remembers.
Sources:
JewishEncyclopedia, Standford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Encyclopedia Britannica