[vladimir998]

The role Muslim dominated Spain had in the renaissance of Western Europe in the High Middle Ages has been way overblown. And Driftdriver is right. Many of the early Muslim scientists were not Arabs. They were Assyrians who already were experts in science before the Arab Muslims showed up. Muslims later turned against much of the scientific development they themselves had helped foster. The Muslim world gradually became a backwater - and remained one until now. The Jordanian Minister of Education (maybe it was Culture?) admited a few years ago that the entire Arab Muslim world translated fewer books into Arabic over its entire history (1400 years) than Spain translates into Spanish in a single year. BACKWATER!

[Flag_This]

"The role Muslim dominated Spain had in the renaissance of Western Europe in the High Middle Ages has been way overblown."

I think the reintroduction of western Europe with Roman and Greek culture at Constantinople, during the Crusades, had more to do with the Renaissance than anything the muslims brought to the table. Roman culture survived at Constantinople for a thousand years after Rome had fallen and was a revelation to the Crusaders passing through on their way to fight the saracens. Byzantine art and architecture greatly influenced the Gothic style that appeared in Europe shortly after the First Crusade ended.

[muawiyah]

About 1000 AD the middle east suffered an enormous disaster ~ they were conquered by Mongols and Turks ~ for the next 900 years the Arabs were just a conquered people suitable only for tax payments.

[Partisan Gunslinger]

The role Muslim dominated Spain had in the renaissance of Western Europe in the High Middle Ages has been way overblown. And Driftdriver is right. Many of the early Muslim scientists were not Arabs. They were Assyrians who already were experts in science before the Arab Muslims showed up.

Exactly!