García García, 2º

THE SCHOOL OF TRANSLATORS

OF TOLEDO

Alicia García García, 2º A

INDEXI. Introduction

- Abbasid caliphate- Al-Andalus- Toledo

II. DefinitionIII. Periods of the SchoolIV. Translation processV. Some translatorsVI. Some authors translated

At the beginning of the MiddleAges, in European universities Latin culture was studied, but they had little knowledge of Greek culture.

I. INTRODUCTION

Abbasid caliphate

The Muslims, in their expansion, translated to Arab, studied and preserved the works of the great

Greek authors.

Abbasid caliphs of Baghdad (8th-9th centuries):- The caliph al-Mansur was the first who ordered to translate Greek works of astronomy.- The caliph Harun al-Rashid became interested in medical texts. - His successor al-Ma’mun founded the "House of Wisdom".

Caliph al-Ma’mun (786-833)

Al-Andalus

These translated texts were brought to the Iberian Peninsula, along with works written by

the Muslims themselves.

In al-Andalus there were a large number of libraries, the most important was the one of the Caliph al-Hakam II, which dispersed when the Caliphate of Córdoba fell.

Also in Al-Andalus there were great Arab and Jewish scientists and thinkers, like Averroes or Maimonides.

al-Hakam II

Toledo

Toledo was the capital of the Visigoths and, later, one of the main cities of Al-Andalus.

It was conquered in 1085 by Alfonso VI and it became the city of three cultures: Christians, Muslims and Jews lived together,along with the Mozarabs.

Most of the population was bilingual and knew Arab.

In Toledo, in the 12th century, several languages were used: Arab, Latin, Hebrew and Romance.

Toledo had a lot of books and libraries from the Taifa kingdoms.

Many scholars traveled to Toledo to study the Arab manuscripts.

Supported by great personalities they begin to translate the texts to Latin and Castilian.

II. DEFINITION

The School of Translators of Toledo was a group of translators and scholars who worked in the city of Toledo during the 12th and 13th centuries.They translated works written in Arab and Hebrew. The works contained scientific and philosophical knowledge of Greek and Arab antiquity.With the help of School, the knowledge was diffused throughout Europe and the Castilian language was enriched and increased their vocabulary.

III. PERIODS OF THE SCHOOL

Miniature, “Libro de los juegos”, Alfonso X

Arzobispo D. Raimundode Toledo

Alfonso XObispo Rodrigo Ximenez de Rada

12th century

12-13th century

13th century

Translations to Latin

They came moreEuropean translators

Translations to Castilian.Original works were

written also as "Book of the

Alphonsine Tables"

IV. TRANSLATIONPROCESS

Al-Juarizmi’s text

Arab or Hebrew text

 

Romance text (oral)

Latin text(written)

Jew or mozarabtranslator

Christiantranslator

In the age of Alfonso Xthe texts were translated

by a single translator to Castilian.His work was reviewed by an

emendador.

V. SOME TRANSLATORS

Miniature, “Cantigas de Santa María”, Alfonso X

Gerard of Cremona, was born in Italy (12th century). He translated more than 70 works: Galen, Ptolemy, Aristotle, Al-Juarizmi…

Maestro Juan (12th century). He was Jew, he translated Arab or Hebrew texts into Romance.

Domingo Gundisalvo (12th century), of mozarab origin, he translated Romance texts into Latin.

Ibn Daud was born in Cordoba (12th century). Jewish thinker,he translated Avicena´s texts.

Michael Scott was born in Scotland (12-13th century). He studied at Oxford and Paris, he translated Aristotle and Averroes´ texts.

Rabbi Ishaq ben Sid was born in Toledo (13th century). Jewish thinker, he translated Azarquiel´s texts. Ishaq ben Sid

VI. SOMEAUTHORSTRANSLATED

Galen

130-200. He was born in

Pergamum and died in Rome.

He was a Greek physician and philosopher.

He made important contributions to medicine.

Claudius Ptolemy

He was born and died in Egypt in the 2nd century.

He was a Greek mathematician, astronomer, chemist and geographer.

He believed in a geocentric system, in which the entire universe revolved around the Earth.

His main work is "Almagest".

Aristotle

384 – 322 BC. He was born in

Greece. He was one of the

great philosophers of Greek antiquity.

He was the tutor of Alexander the Great.

He born in Italy. He was an ancient

Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, inventor, and astronomer.

One of the most important scientists of all time.

Archimedes

Al-Jwarizmi He worked in the first

half of the 9th century. He worked in Baghdad. He was an Arab

mathematician and astronomer.

He is the Father of algebra.

He was the introducer of our current numbering system.

Avicenna

980-1037 He was born in

Uzbekistán and died in Irán.

He was a Persian physician and philosopher.

He wrote the “Canon of Medicine”, the most important medical book of his time.

Azarquiel 1029-1100 He was born and died in

Córdoba. He worked in Toledo.

He was one of the most important Spanish Arab astronomers.

He wrote "Toledo Tables". He discovered the elliptical

motion of some planets. He invented several

instruments: an astrolabe, a zarcalía and a azafea.

Averroes 1126-1198 He was born in Córdoba

and died in Morocco. He was a Spanish Arab

philosopher, physician, astronomer, mathematician and jurist.

He is known for his translations and commentaries on the works of Aristotle.

His work had a great influence.

Maimonides

1138-1204 He was born in Córdoba

and died in Cairo (Egypt). He was a Spanish Jewish

theologian, philosopher and doctor.

He was the most important Jew in the Middle Ages.

Some of his works are: “Guide for the Perplexed” and “Mishné Torá”.

Interesting websites

• www.larramendi.es/traductores_toledo • www.uclm.es/escueladetraductores/