Isaac the Jew

Isaac the Jew also known by his Latin name "Isaac Judaeus" was an 8th century Frankish Jew who was a favoured diplomat of Carolingian emperor Charlemagne. Isaac also served as an important community leader for the Frankish Jewish community.[1] According to Arthur J. Zuckerman's book A Jewish Princedom in Feudal France, Isaac was a notable member of the House of Exilarchs, however this claim has been criticized by many.[2][3]

Early life

Isaac was born in Narbonne, France. In his adult years, Isaac became a prominent merchant in the Frankish lands, eventually gaining the attention of Charlemagne who took a liking to the young Jew. Isaac was first employed by Charlemagne to go to the holy land and bring back precious merchandise, this was greatly successful and strengthened relations between the two men.[4]

Embassy to the Abbasid Caliphate
A picture of Abul-Abbas from 11th century Spain

In 797 Isaac, alongside two other diplomats (Lantfroi and Sigismond) were sent to Harun al-Rashid, the fifth Abbasid Caliph. The diplomatic mission was highly rewarding and was important in fortifying Abbasid–Carolingian relations. The Caliph gifted an Asian elephant named Abul-Abbas to Charlemagne. Being the only surviving member of the group, Isaac was sent back with the elephant. The two began the trek back by following the Egyptian coast into Ifriqiya (modern Algeria and Tunisia). Possibly with the help of Ibrahim ibn al-Aghlab, Isaac set sail with Abul-Abbas from the city of Kairouan and traveled the remaining miles to Europe via the Mediterranean Sea. They landed in Genoa in October 801. The two spent the winter in Vercelli, and in the spring they started the march over the Alps to the Emperor's residence in Aachen, arriving on 1 July, 802. Abul-Abbas was exhibited on various occasions when the court was assembled, and was eventually housed in Augsburg in what is now southern Bavaria.

References
  1. Dressen, Wolfgang; Oellers, Adam C.; Minkenberg, Georg (2003). Ex Oriente : Isaac and the white elephant: Baghdad-Jerusalem-Aachen: a journey through three cultures around 800 and today: Catalog book in three volumes for the exhibition in the town hall, cathedral and cathedral treasury Aachen, from June 30 to September 28, 2003 (in German). Von Zabern. ISBN 978-3-8053-3005-3.
  2. Zuckerman, Princedom. pp. 263. (Calmette, De Bernardo)
  3. Bachrach, Bernard S. (1973). "Review--Arthur J. Zuckerman, A JEWISH PRINCEDOM IN FEUDAL FRANCE, 768-900". American Historical Review. 78: 1440–1441. ISSN 0002-8762.
  4. GRABOÏS, Aryeh (2000-01-01). "La chronographie hébraïque des croisades. Mémoire et rédaction des témoignages". Revue des Études Juives. 159 (1): 79–98. doi:10.2143/rej.159.1.151. ISSN 0484-8616.


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