page_title: Isaac the Jew
section_title: Embassy to the Abbasid Caliphate
hierarchical_section_title: Isaac the Jew / Embassy to the Abbasid Caliphate
context_page_description: Isaac the Jew also known by his Latin name "Isaac Judaeus" was a 8th century Frankish Jew who was a favoured diplomat of Carolingian emperor Charlemagne. Isaac also served as an important community leader for the Frankish Jewish community. According to Arthur J. Zuckerman's book A Jewish Princedom in Feudal France, Isaac was a notable member of the House of Exilarchs, however this claim has been criticized by many.
context_section_description: in 797 Isaac, alongside two other diplomats (Lantfroi and Sigismond) were sent to Harun al-Rashid, the fifth Abbasid Caliph. The diplomatic mission was highly rewarding and was important in fortifying Abbasid–Carolingian relations. The Caliph gifted an Asian elephant named Abul-Abbas to Charlemagne. Being the only surviving member of the group, Isaac was sent back with the elephant. The two began the trek back by following the Egyptian coast into Ifriqiya (modern Algeria and Tunisia). Possibly with the help of Ibrahim ibn al-Aghlab, Isaac set sail with Abul-Abbas from the city of Kairouan and traveled the remaining miles to Europe via the Mediterranean Sea. They landed in Genoa in October 801. The two spent the winter in Vercelli, and in the spring they started the march over the Alps to the Emperor's residence in Aachen, arriving on 1 July, 802. Abul-Abbas was exhibited on various occasions when the court was assembled, and was eventually housed in Augsburg in what is now southern Bavaria.
caption: A picture of Abul-Abbas from 11th century Spain
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