The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Abu Nuwas
(ä´b nwäs´) (KEY) , c.750c.810, Arab poet, b. Ahvaz, Persia. He spent most of his life in Baghdad. High in favor with the caliphs Harun ar-Rashid and Amin, he lived a courtiers life; his exquisite lyric poetry celebrated wine and the extravagance of this life.