The Syriac Orthodox prelate and polymath Gregory Abu al-Faraj Barhebraeus (Bar `Ebroyo) is indisputably the greatest author of the so-called Syriac Renaissance of the twelfth to thirteenth centuries and his works have been the subject of innumerable studies over the past four centuries. There has, however, been little study in recent years aimed at providing a comprehensive overview of his life and works and the present volume is an attempt to fill this gap.

The volume begins with a biographical account of Barhebraeus, which takes into consideration the results of the latest research as well as those studies from the past, some of which have lain almost forgotten in obscure corners of libraries. This is then followed by an overview of the maphrian's works, together with an attempt to delineate some of the outstanding characteristics of these works. The appendix contains a comprehensive bibliography of editions and studies relating to Barhebraeus, along with an updated list of the manuscripts of his works.

Hidemi Takahashi is currently a lecturer in the Faculty of Policy Studies at Chuo University, Tokyo. He holds degrees in Classical Studies from the University of St. Andrews (MA) and the University of Tokyo (MLitt). His doctoral dissertation, completed at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, is titled Aristotelian Meteorology in Syriac. Barhebraeus, Butyrum sapientiae, Books of Minerals and Meteorology.