Omar Khayyam composed his rubaiyat (quatrains) during the late 11th and early 12th centuries, though they circulated orally and in scattered manuscripts for centuries before gaining widespread fame. These four-line poems explored themes of mortality, doubt, wine, and the fleeting nature of existence with skeptical wit and philosophical depth.

Khayyam's rubaiyat presented a unique voice in Persian literature, combining mathematical precision with existential questioning and hedonistic celebration that challenged orthodox religious sentiments. The quatrains' compact form allowed for maximum impact through paradox and irony, influencing later Persian poets who appreciated their technical perfection and philosophical boldness. Though relatively minor in Khayyam's own time, the rubaiyat's later translation by Edward FitzGerald introduced Western audiences to Persian poetic forms and skeptical philosophical traditions.