After Western Europe and the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire's split, classical Greek texts, including Aristotle's works, were largely lost in Western Europe. However, Islamic scholars preserved and studied Aristotle's writings during this time.
In the mid-12th century, Western Europe experienced a growing interest in ancient knowledge. The translation of Arabic manuscripts into Latin began, primarily in southern Italy and Spain, where Muslims, Jews, and Christians coexisted and exchanged cultural and intellectual ideas.
Gerard of Cremona, a scholar from Italy, played a crucial role in translating numerous Arabic versions of Aristotle's works, as well as commentaries by Arab philosophers like Averroes. Other notable translators include James of Venice and Michael Scot.
The recovery and reception of Aristotle's writings in the West had a profound impact on the development of philosophical thought and the rise of Scholasticism. Medieval scholars studied and debated Aristotle's ideas, integrating them with Christian and Islamic philosophical concepts. This process led to the emergence of new philosophical schools and the revitalization of intellectual discourse.