Toledo’s School of Translators & Alfonso X’s Legacy

Posted on Mar 23, 2025 in Latin

The School of Translators of Toledo

The School of Translators of Toledo was established around the 12th century. It brought together Arab, Christian, and Jewish scholars to translate significant works from other cultures into Latin and then into Romance languages. Under the reign of Alfonso X, the court of Toledo became a hub for the most talented scholars in Europe.

Rigorous Translation Methods

These scholars employed a meticulous method:

  1. Compilation: Searching for and gathering materials containing the desired knowledge, then translating them into Castilian. This task was performed by translators.
  2. Classification: Categorizing texts related to the same event and merging various sources. Municipalities assisted in this process.
  3. Organization: Structuring the material into chapters.
  4. Review: Revising the drafts and correcting imperfections.
  5. Final Review: Reviewing the texts and finalizing them, ensuring accuracy and adherence to Castilian standards.

Many works from Eastern Europe reached Alfonso X through the translations produced by this school, contributing significantly to the cultural revolution of the 13th century.

Alphonsine Works

Alfonso X’s contributions are classified as follows:

  • Legal: Alfonso X’s collaborators wrote the first books of medieval laws.
  • Scientific: These works include translations of treatises on botany and medicine, as well as books on astronomy and gemstones, reflecting the superstitions of the time.
  • Cantigas: Texts written in Galician by Alfonso X himself, expressing devotion to the Virgin Mary, often accompanied by musical notation and miniatures.
  • Recreational: Alfonso X also commissioned books of entertainment, such as those on chess and dice, aiming to both educate and entertain.
  • Historical: The historical texts of Alfonso X, known for their rigor and objectivity, marked the beginning of modern historiography. These include chronicles.

Significant Chronicles

  • Crónica General: King Alfonso X planned the first comprehensive history of Spain, divided into two parts: the ancient era and the period from the Arab invasion to the Reconquista.
  • Estoria de España: This work aimed to present the history of humanity from creation until the time of Alfonso X, though it remained incomplete, reaching only the time of the Virgin Mary. It contains many legendary and mythological episodes.

Alfonso X the Wise and Castilian Language

Alfonso X the Wise was deeply concerned with the prominence of Castilian. He initiated an ambitious project to elevate the cultural status and standardize the language throughout his territory.

The objective was to:

  • Gather knowledge from books of the time, covering history, science, and other subjects.
  • Disseminate this knowledge in Castilian, requiring careful refinement and standardization of the language’s syntax.

Didactic Prose

Alongside the work of Alfonso X the Wise, a narrative prose emerged with a strong moralizing character. These texts, known as enxiemplos, are short stories or tales that follow a similar structure and are often included in the didactic genre due to their purpose: to entertain while teaching. Medieval enxiemplos draw from oriental tales and fables. Typically, they involve people, animals, or events, leading to a lesson or moral advice.

Don Juan Manuel and Didactic Literature

Don Juan Manuel, a cultivated nobleman, was interested in classical and eastern cultures, politics, and law, as reflected in his works. As an author, he strived for a personal style that combined elegance with precision. His works are written with a didactic and moralizing goal: to promote coexistence among people by presenting examples of humane behaviors. His most famous work is El Conde Lucanor. The material used in this work is diverse, including Greek fables, oriental stories, and original creations. However, he did not simply copy these texts; instead, he recreated and expressed them according to his personal style, demonstrating his expertise and knowledge.

Structure of an Enxiemplo

  1. The Count presents a problem or situation and seeks Patronio’s advice.
  2. Patronio tells a story as an example related to the situation.
  3. The theme of the story explains the problem presented by the Count.
  4. Juan Manuel summarizes the lesson he wished to convey in a couplet.