The Venetian Qur'an

The Venetian Qur'an: A Renaissance Companion to Islam By Pier Mattia Tommasino Published by University of Pennsylvania Press in 2018. In 1547, an anonymous book appeared in Venice with the title L'Alcorano di Macometto. The book claimed to contain a direct translation of the Qur'an into Italian, but this was not entirely accurate. In reality, only half the volume consisted of new translations from Arabic, while the other half featured commentary that balanced anti-Islamic rhetoric with fresh interpretations of Muhammad's life and politics in pre-Islamic Arabia. Despite its disputed origins, L'Alcorano di Macometto went on to become widely distributed and affordable, making it accessible to a broad audience. This book sheds new light on the volume's mysterious past, its previously unknown author, and its lasting impact on Renaissance thought. Tommasino reveals that L'Alcorano served as both a guide for European refugees seeking to relocate in the Ottoman Empire and a general reader's introduction to Islamic history and stories. The Venetian Qur'an is a fascinating study of a complex and influential work that bridges Islamic scripture, Renaissance humanism, and Machiavellian politics.