c. 956

A geographer and historian who traveled widely for most of his life, to see the wonders of the world and to gain direct experience through observation. He wrote at least 37 works on history, geography, jurisprudence, theology, genealogy, government and administration, but only two survive intact. He considered experience better than the authority of ancient writers, and challenged traditionalism. He saw geography as the basis of history, saying that geography helped determine the life, structure and character of a region.