Silent Teachers: Turkish Books and Oriental Learning in Early Modern Europe, 1544-1669

Silent Teachers explores the influence of Ottoman scholarly practices and reference tools on oriental learning in early modern Europe, revealing the central role of Turkish-language manuscripts in the achievements of early orientalists. The book dispels myths and misunderstandings and offers a fresh history of Turkish studies in Europe, providing new insights into how Renaissance intellectuals studied Arabic and Persian through contemporaneous Turkish sources.

Format: Hardback
Length: 260 pages
Publication date: 17 March 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Silent Teachers explores for the first time the profound influence of Ottoman scholarly practices and reference tools on oriental learning in early modern Europe. Telling the story of oriental studies through the annotations, study notes, and correspondence of European scholars, it demonstrates the central yet often overlooked role that Turkish-language manuscripts played in the achievements of early orientalists. By dispelling the myths and misunderstandings prevalent in previous scholarship, this book offers a fresh history of Turkish studies in Europe and provides valuable insights into how Renaissance intellectuals studied Arabic and Persian through contemporaneous Turkish sources.

This captivating tale is replete with larger-than-life characters, each with their unique story to tell. Among them is an armchair expert who, despite claiming to have been held captive under the Ottomans, managed to turn his alleged experiences into bestselling books. Another is a drunken dragoman who, rather than fulfilling his duties at the Sublime Porte, preferred to indulge in the pleasures of the vine. And then there is a curmudgeonly German physician whose pugnacious pamphlets resulted in the erasure of his name from history.

The title of the study, derived from the renowned humanist Joseph Scaligers comment that books from the Muslim world are "silent teachers and need to be explained orally to be understood," aptly captures the essence of this work. It seeks to give voice to the numerous Turkish-language books that circulated in early modern Europe and proposes a paradigm shift in our understanding of early modern erudite culture.

Through meticulous research and analysis, Silent Teachers sheds light on the complex network of scholars, translators, and merchants who facilitated the exchange of knowledge between the East and the West. It reveals how Turkish-language manuscripts played a crucial role in shaping the understanding of Arabic and Persian languages, as well as other subjects such as medicine, philosophy, and literature. The study also highlights the significant contributions of Turkish scholars and intellectuals to the development of European knowledge, particularly in the fields of medicine and natural sciences.

In conclusion, Silent Teachers is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh perspective on the influence of Ottoman scholarly practices and reference tools on oriental learning in early modern Europe. By presenting a wealth of primary sources and engaging in meticulous analysis, the book provides valuable insights into the complex and multifaceted world of early modern erudite culture. It challenges prevailing narratives and sheds light on the overlooked role of Turkish-language manuscripts in the achievements of early orientalists. This study is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of oriental studies, European intellectual history, and the broader cultural exchange between the East and the West.

Weight: 670g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367359782