Early Orientalists

The first generations of Western (chiefly European) scholars who systematically studied, classified, and represented the cultures and religions of the Middle East and Asia. Early Orientalists are often criticized for having codified and “domesticated” the Orient into a European field of learning, while also disavowing Islam’s influence in order to remain acceptable to European audiences.

Claims that use this term

• Early Orientalists codified and domesticated the Orient into a European province of learning.
• Early Orientalists had to disavow Islam’s influence to remain acceptable to Europe