Hasan Ibn Hani Hakami (ca 756- 813), because of his long hair, acquired the name Abu Nuwas (father of the lock of hair), he was from an Arabic father and Persian mother, was one of the greatest Arabic poets. His style was extravagent and his compositions reflected well the licentious manners of the upper classes of his day. He liked to shock society by openly writing about things which Islam forbide. Two of his favourit themes being the sexual passivity of men and the sexual intemperance of women. His chief topics were wine and pederasty. Abu Nuwas was imprisoned, some believe that fear of prison made him repent his old ways and become deeply religious.