of Kairouan, though not holders of the office of Gaon, are often ranked among the Geonim. Others, perhaps more logically, consider them as constituting the first generation of Rishonim. Maimonides (1135–1204) sometimes uses the term "Geonim" in an extended sense, to mean "leading authorities", regardless of what country they lived in. See also History of Responsa: Geonim Rabbinic literature References General collections of Geonic material, including but not limited to responsa: Ginzberg, Louis, GeonicaGinze SchechterToratan shel Geonim'' (7 vols.) External links 1906 Jewish Encyclopedia Biographies of the Geonim Survey of the basic books of Geonic Literature in the Jewish Virtual Library. 5