The Atlas Obscura Podcast The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
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Jul 2, 2025 Dive into the intriguing tale of a jewel-encrusted edition of the Rubaiyat that sank with the Titanic! Discover how Persian mathematician Omar Khayyam seamlessly blended math and poetry 800 years ago. The podcast explores his profound themes of life's transience and leisure, igniting a Victorian fascination. Unpack the historical significance of Khayyam's works and the lasting impact of his poetry, urging us to appreciate life's simple pleasures. This journey through literary history is both enlightening and entertaining!
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Childhood Video Game Obsession
- Amanda McGowan shares her childhood fascination with the game Titanic Adventure Out of Time.
- The game featured a mission to find the jewel-encrusted Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam on the Titanic.
Khayyam's Lasting Calendar Legacy
- Omar Khayyam was a Persian mathematician and astronomer who created the Jalali calendar.
- His precise measurements of the stars corrected the calendar still used in Iran today.
The Poetry Attributed to Khayyam
- Omar Khayyam's poetry consists of short, four-line rubaiyat with themes of life's brevity and enjoyment.
- Debate exists on whether he authored all the poems or if they were misattributed.