Jews and Muslims

Abstract

Jews and Muslims were the largest non-Christian groups with whom Europeans came into immediate contact. Medieval Jews had been distributed throughout Europe, with concentrations in the Iberian Peninsula and Central Europe. Until the twelfth century, Jews were relatively well integrated into Christian society, especially in Spain and Italy. Few Jews published works other than in Hebrew, but Christian scholars studying Hebrew biblical texts were dependent on Jewish translators and interpreters. Muslim culture had flourished in medieval Spain, which became the western bulwark of Christian Europe against Islam, but by the seventeenth century the Muslims had been forcibly converted or expelled. During the early modern period, changes in political and economic circumstances and the displacement of religious favour by reason of state in international relations led to the partial abandonment of old stereotypes. The Enlightenment encouraged more favourable attitudes towards both Jews and Muslims, but old prejudices still lurked in dark corners.