Johann Jakob Reiske

Johann Jacob Reiske ( born December 25, 1716 in Zoerbig; † August 14, 1774 in Leipzig ) was a German Hellenist, Arabist and Byzantinist. Although he hardly found recognition in his time, he is considered the founder of Arabic philology as an independent discipline.

Life

Reiske was the son of a tanner. He attended the town school Zoerbig (since 1722), took private lessons in Zöschen (since 1727), and attended high school in Halle ( 1728-33 ). In 1733 he began the study of theology in Leipzig and studied the side as a self-taught Arabic.

In 1738 he traveled on behalf of Albert Schultens to Leiden to study Arabic manuscripts. In Leiden he attended lectures by Tiberius Hemsterhuis which aroused his interest in ancient Greek literature. Because of personal differences with the Leyden philologists him a doctoral degree was denied, he therefore received his doctorate in 1746 on the Arab Medicine ( Miscellaneae aliquot observationes medicae ex Arabum Monumentis ) and earned his MD

After his return to Leipzig in 1746, he wanted the medical profession do not exercise, and moved to philological odd jobs. 1748 he was appointed extraordinary professor at Leipzig for Arabic, but disabled his opposition to Johann August Ernesti and Johann David Michaelis his professional advancement. In 1758 he became rector of Leipzig's St. Nicholas School.

Reiske 1764 married Ernestine Christine Reiske (born Müller). On the occasion of a visit to Gotthold Ephraim Lessing in 1771 he ordered the Oriental manuscripts of the Herzog August Bibliothek.

Work

Reiske considered the founder of Arabic philology and as a pioneer of the Arab numismatics and epigraphy. He promoted the Arabic Philology from a theological auxiliary science into an independent discipline. Despite his efforts, he found his life hardly recognition, in a biography he called himself a "martyr of Arabic literature ". His text edition and translation of Abu 'l- Fidas historical work was published posthumously. In addition, he worked with Arabic proverbs and translated Demosthenes. Reiskes edition and commentary from De ceremoniis ( 1751-54 ) is one of the major issues of the Byzantine source.