Rashid al-Din: The Persian Jew Who Invented Wikipedia
A Jewish-born vizier in 13th-century Persia, Rashid al-Din chronicled world history like a medieval Wikipedia—before betrayal and execution erased his legacy.
In the heart of the 13th century, thousands of kilometers from Jerusalem, a Jewish boy named Rashid al-Din was born in the Persian city of Hamadan. No one could have imagined that he would become one of the most powerful and influential figures in the Islamic world—or that his life would end in betrayal, execution, and a posthumous curse.
Rashid al-Din’s journey defied all odds. A Jew—living in an era of heavy restrictions on Jews—who rose to become court physician to the Mongol ruler Abaqa Khan, and eventually Grand Vizier (akin to Prime Minister) of the Mongol Ilkhanate Empire, which ruled over Persia, neighboring lands, and vast parts of the Middle East.
From Jew to Muslim, from Physician to Statesman
At some point, likely for political survival, Rashid al-Din converted to Islam. It wasn’t uncommon—conversion was almost the only path to power for a Jew in that time. But unlike many converts, Rashid never abandoned his roots. His writings are rich with references to Jewish history and the Bible, as if he were reminding himself—and the world—of who he once was.
His talents were undeniable. He was not only a brilliant physician but a gifted statesman, visionary reformer, and peerless administrator. Under his leadership, the Mongol Empire in the Middle East experienced relative prosperity. With his vast wealth, he commissioned the construction of new urban quarters in cities like Tabriz and Soltaniyeh, building madrasas, Sufi shrines, and trade caravan stations across the region.
The Greatest Historian of the Middle Ages
Rashid al-Din was not merely a political figure—he was a pioneering historian. His magnum opus, Jami' al-Tawarikh ("Compendium of Chronicles"), is widely considered one of the greatest historical works of the medieval world. The sheer scope of the text earned it a bold nickname: "the first world history."
He attempted something extraordinary: to document the history of all peoples—not just the Mongols, but Chinese, Indians, Christians, Muslims, and yes, even Jews. It is believed he interviewed merchants, diplomats, scholars, and monks from across the known world, gathering their stories like a medieval Wikipedia, with Rashid al-Din as editor-in-chief.
A Tragic End
But in the Mongol courts, as in many others, proximity to power was a double-edged sword. After the death of ruler Ghazan Khan, Rashid lost political protection. Rivals accused him—falsely—of poisoning the new king.
In 1318, over the age of 70, Rashid al-Din was executed. His sons were killed alongside him, and his name smeared. His Jewish heritage became a target of posthumous scorn. A century after his death, the Muslim governor of Tabriz ordered Rashid’s body removed from the grand mausoleum he had built during his lifetime and reburied in a Jewish cemetery.
A Legacy That Could Not Be Erased
Yet history is kinder than politics. Centuries later, Rashid al-Din’s works have become global treasures. Scholars—Muslim, Jewish, Christian, and even Chinese—continue to study his writings. His chronicles remain among the most vital sources on the Mongol era, Persian culture, and medieval world history.
Rashid al-Din’s life is a testament to crossing boundaries—of faith, culture, and empire. In a world ruled by brute force, he dared to suggest, in words and deeds, that truth, knowledge, and history still mattered.
Perhaps that’s why, more than 700 years after his death, the name Rashid al-Din shines brighter than most of the rulers he once served.