Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Jean Damascène" in French language version.
« It seems that up until he was twelve, John underwent a traditional Muslim education. We are also told in one of the vitae that Sargun b. Mansur wanted a Greek tutor for his son so that he could learn “not only the books of the Muslims, but those of the Greeks as well.” John grew up as a bilingual and bicultural person, standing at the threshold of the transition from Late Antiquity to Early Islam. »
« If we are to believe this traditional account, the information that John was in the Arab administration of Damascus under the Umayyads and had, therefore, a first-hand knowledge of the Arab Moslem civilization, would, of course, be very valuable. Unfortunately, the story is mainly based upon an eleventh- century Arabic life, which in other respects is full of incredible legends. Earlier sources are much more reserved. »
« If we are to believe this traditional account, the information that John was in the Arab administration of Damascus under the Umayyads and had, therefore, a first-hand knowledge of the Arab Moslem civilization, would, of course, be very valuable. Unfortunately, the story is mainly based upon an eleventh- century Arabic life, which in other respects is full of incredible legends. Earlier sources are much more reserved. »
« If we are to believe this traditional account, the information that John was in the Arab administration of Damascus under the Umayyads and had, therefore, a first-hand knowledge of the Arab Moslem civilization, would, of course, be very valuable. Unfortunately, the story is mainly based upon an eleventh- century Arabic life, which in other respects is full of incredible legends. Earlier sources are much more reserved. »
