Arabic into Latin in the Middle Ages: The Translators and Their Intellectual and Social Context

Nine articles reproduced from earlier publications focus on the identity of the Latin translators responsible for transmitting Arabic learning to Europe and the context in which they were working. Burnett (U. of London) plans further volumes focusing on particular Arabic authors. Among the topics here are early translations from Arabic of texts concerning nature in MSS British Library, Additional 22719 and Cotton Galba E IV; Antioch as a link between Arabic and Latin culture in the 12th and 13th centuries; whether John of Seville and John of Spain were ever seen in the same room; the coherence of the Arabic-Latin translation program in Toledo during the 12th century; Michael Scot and the transmission of scientific culture from Toledo to Bologna via the court of Frederick II Hohenstaufen; and Frederick II's philosopher Master Theodore. The Variorum series collects important articles and essays from their initial scatter into durable volumes; the original page numbers are retained to keep references accurate. Annotation c2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Charles Burnett is Professor of the History of Islamic Influences in Europe at the Warburg Institute, University of London, UK