Theophanes first accused Muhammad of epilepsy, a charge later polemicists repeated

Evidence

Theophanes is the first author to charge Muhammad with being an epileptic, an accusation that will be repeated by many later polemicists; see Astérios Argyriou, “Éléments biographiques concernant le prophète Muhammad dans la littérature grecque des trois premiers siècles de l’Hégire,” in Toufic Fahd, ed. — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1560 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: The epilepsy charge against Muhammad began with the Byzantine chronicler Theophanes — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1560; Medieval polemicists pathologized Muhammad’s visions as epileptic delusion — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 752; Byzantine polemic reduced Muhammad’s revelation to epilepsy seconded by a heretical monk — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 407 (+3 more)

Broader Connections

• The epilepsy charge against Muhammad began with the Byzantine chronicler Theophanes #corroborates (0.97) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1560