History of the Moorish Empire in Europe, Vol. 3 (of 3)Scott, S. P. (Samuel Parsons)
Islamic
History of the Moorish Empire in Europe, Vol. 3 (of 3)
Scott, S. P. (Samuel Parsons)
Arabs -- Europe -- History; Islamic civilization; Muslims -- Spain -- History; Spain -- History -- 711-1516
that profession are considered.
The impulse thus early exerted by Jewish culture upon the Arab
intellect was eventually productive of the most extraordinary
results. The scholars soon surpassed their instructors in the extent
and profundity of their knowledge. The Arab mind assimilated, with
wonderful ease and insatiable avidity, the useful and valuable
information afforded it, while its critical faculty enabled it to
reject what it intuitively perceived to be spurious. In all the
countries subject to the Khalifates of Mecca and Damascus, the Hebrew
opened to the Moslem conqueror the avenues of literature and science.
He was treated by the Mohammedan princes with far more consideration
and justice than he had ever experienced under Pagan or Christian
domination. His synagogues were erected in the shadow of Moslem
minarets. His academies became famous as centres of learning. The works
of Grecian philosophers, the fragmentary treasures of Alexandrian
erudition, were, through his efforts, made familiar to the studious
of the great Mohammedan capitals. In the distribution of literary
patronage the Jews were the most distinguished recipients of royal
munificence. In proportion to the eminence they attained in the
province of letters, their political power and financial prosperity
increased. They enjoyed the familiar confidence of the monarch, when
his favorite councillors dared not venture without a summons into his
presence. They amassed great fortunes in the various branches of trade
and industry. Their mercantile occupations brought them frequently in
contact with their fellow-sectaries, who, in other parts of the world,
maintained under the weighty sceptre of cruel and bigoted sovereigns an
existence fraught with danger and hardship.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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