A Comparative Study of Crypto-Jews and Crypto-Muslims in the Iberian Peninsula during the 15th-16th Centuries

Abstract

The article explores the Marranos (crypto-Jews) and Moriscos (crypto-Muslims), two communities in Spain during the 15^th and 16^th centuries, who, in the face of religious persecution, resorted to secret religious practices. While two groups ostensibly embracing Christianity, these communities privately adhered to their original beliefs, exhibiting extraordinary resilience in preserving their religious faith and cultural traditions. Their varied clandestine practices and cultural adaptations provide a window into the sophisticated strategies employed by marginalized groups in response to religious persecution, underscoring the complexity and diversity of their coping mechanisms.