The arabic-latin intercultural transmission of scientific knowledge in pre-modern Europe: Historical context and case studies

Abstract

During the rise of Islamic civilization, Europe was still at an early stage in science, medicine and technology. The Arabic-Latin translation movement in the Middle Ages led to the transformation of almost all scientific, medical and philosophical disciplines in the Medieval Latin world. The impact of Arabic knowledge on Western learning was particularly strong in mathematics, astronomy, chemistry, medicine and philosophy. However, the influence of Arabic works in fertilizing Western culture and in providing the foundation for scientific progress in pre-modern Europe is hardly recognized in the mainstream of literature outside academic circles of professional historians.