The Venetian Qur'an: A Renaissance Companion to IslamAn anonymous book appeared in Venice in 1547 titled L'Alcorano di Macometto, and, according to the title page, it contained the doctrine, life, customs, and laws [of Mohammed] . . . newly translated from Arabic into the Italian language. Were this true, L'Alcorano di Macometto would have been the first printed direct translation of the Qur'an in a European vernacular language. The truth, however, was otherwise. As soon became clear, the Qur'anic