Mind-Benders of Jewish History
Christian Europe studied a Jewish philosopher for 700 years without knowing he was Jewish
Shlomo ibn Gabirol's philosophical masterwork was translated into Latin as Fons Vitae and studied for centuries by Christian scholastics under the name “Avicebron” — a figure many assumed was Muslim or Christian. Only in 1846 did the scholar Solomon Munk prove that “Avicebron” was none other than the Jewish poet ibn Gabirol.
How we know
Fons Vitae Latin translation c. 1150; Solomon Munk identified “Avicebron” as ibn Gabirol (c. 1021–1058) in 1846 — nearly 700 years later.
One of many fact-checked wonders across eight traditions at The Spring of Wisdom.