The Quran in Print - Genesis, Motivation and Significance of Theodore Bibliander`s 1543 Latin Quran Edition

Abstract

In 1543, the Swiss philologist and theologian Theodor Bibliander (1505-1564) published the first printed translation of the Quran into Latin in Basel. For the first time, the holy book of Islam was now accessible to a wider European readership. Bibliander believed that his project would benefit Christianity, but the publication was controversial and approved by the City Council of Basel only after months of discussion. This paper intends to examine the historical context and the preceding controversy regarding the 1543 edition of the Quran, as well as Bibliander`s motivation and the significance of his Quran for Europe at that time.

瑞士語文學與神學家台奧多爾．畢布利安德（Theodor Bibliander，1505-1564）於1543年在巴塞爾出版史上第一拉丁文古蘭經的印刷版，使更多歐洲讀者有機會接觸伊斯蘭教的聖書。畢布利安德以為發表古蘭經對基督教有利無害，但有人卻持異議，使得巴塞爾市政府在數月爭論之後才核准出版該書。本論文試談畢布利安德古蘭經之歷史背景、關於出版一事之爭論、畢布利安德的出書動機以及其古蘭經對後世之影響。