Where does the fiddle originate from?

The fiddle is a stringed instrument that originated in Europe during the 10th century. It is considered to be the forefather of many modern stringed instruments such as the violin, viola, cello, and double bass. The earliest known fiddles were made in the Middle East and were brought to Europe by the Moors. The fiddle quickly became popular in Europe and was used in both secular and religious music. By the 16th century, the fiddle had become an integral part of many European folk and classical musical traditions.