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The Contribution of the Jews of Spain to the Transmission of Sciencein the Middle Ages

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2008

Mariano Gomez-Aranda
Mariano Gomez-Aranda*
Affiliation:
Instituto de Lenguas y Culturas del Mediterráneo y Oriente Próximo, CSIC, Albasanz 26–28, 28037 Madrid, Spain
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Abstract

The Jews of Spain in the Middle Ages played an important role in the transmissionof Graeco-Arabic learning by translating, or participating in translations, ofscientific texts. They also composed original works on mathematics, astronomy,astrology and medicine in which they adapted the theories of the ancients fortheir own time. Science was used by the ruling powers as an element of prestige,and by the Jewish scientists as a way to obtain a high social status. The policyof cultural sponsorship of Muslim caliphs, as well as of Christian kings, wasfundamental in the process of transmission of the Greek sciences to the Westernworld. The School of Translators of Toledo is an example of this process. Theastronomical theories developed by Jewish scientists at the end of the 15thcentury played an important role in the Spanish and Portuguese discoveries ofthe 16th century. Their knowledge of astronomy, astrology, mathematics, andmedicine was also used by the Jewish intellectuals to provide a rational andscientific support for the Jewish religion and tradition, as is reflected in theinterpretations of the Bible by medieval Spanish Jewish authors.

Type
Articles
Information
European Review , Volume 16 , Issue 2 , May 2008 , pp. 169 - 181
Copyright
Copyright © Academia Europaea 2008

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References

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