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Also found as Naubakht · Nowbakht · Nawbaḵt · Nawbakht al-Farisi
Nawbakht advised the Abbasid caliph al-Mansur and helped choose when construction of Baghdad should begin. His career shows how beliefs about the stars influenced decisions at the early Abbasid court.
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Introduced by Islamic Scientific Heritage, with the biographical details checked against the references below. The research note identifies claims that still need checking.
Reference notes
Encyclopaedia Iranica · Nawbakhti Family
Reference note, paraphrased: Nawbakht was a Persian astrologer who served the Abbasid caliph al-Mansur. Sean W. Anthony identifies his best-documented contribution to Baghdad’s founding as a horoscope selecting 30 July 762 for construction to begin. Al-Biruni later preserved the horoscope. This supports an advisory role in choosing a date; it does not establish that Nawbakht designed the circular city or directed construction. Astrology here is a historical belief, not a demonstrated predictive science. Accounts of his conversion need caution.
Read the referenceEncyclopaedia Iranica · Abu Sahl ibn Nawbakht
Reference note, paraphrased: David Pingree describes Nawbakht working with Masha’allah to select the moment for Baghdad’s foundation. His son Abu Sahl ibn Nawbakht later served as a court astrologer and became associated with translation and scholarship. They are separate individuals: the son’s books, translation and library work should not be credited to his father. Their careers illustrate the place of Persian learning at the Abbasid court.
Read the referenceResearch note: Reference works support his role in selecting a founding date through historical astrology, not the archive’s claim that he designed Baghdad. Astrology is not a scientifically established way to predict events. Distinct from his son Abu Sahl ibn Nawbakht and later members of the Nawbakhti family. His precise dates and conversion stories are uncertain.
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