Grammatica Arabica

Scientific grammar of Arabic written by the Dutch Orientalist Thomas Erpenius (died 1624). The Grammatica Arabica was the first scientific grammar of Arabic written by a Western scholar, and remained unsurpassed as the most popular and influential guide to the rudiments of Arabic grammar until well into the 19th century. By making Arabic grammar accessible to students educated in the Latin tradition, the Grammatica Arabica also represents a watershed in the history of European attempts to teach and learn Arabic in Europe. This edition was printed by Erpenius’ colleague, Franciscus Raphelengius (died 1597), who produced the first Arabic typeface used in Leiden.