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To: JeepInMazar; lormand
They were the librarians for the West during the Dark Ages.

Bingo! As I understand it, the Greek and Latin classics were actually translated into those languages from Arabic.

That is true in Moorish Spain. However, to credit the Arabs with saving the Greek and Latin texts of Classical times completely ignores the existence of the Byzantine Empire during the West's Dark Ages.

The Byzantine Empire was the direct continuation of the Roman Empire in the East and survived until the Fall of Constantinople in 1453.

IN 1439, the Patriarch of Constantinople and the Byzantine Emperor, John VIII Paleologus, were guests of Florence and of Cosimo de Medici at the Echuminical Coucil of Florence. There was a great cultural exchange between Byzantine and Italian Renaissance scholars during this period that did more to diffuse Classical learning in the West than Arabs ever did.

55 posted on 01/11/2002 11:24:35 AM PST by Polybius
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To: Polybius
Thanks for the clarification!
57 posted on 01/11/2002 11:36:39 AM PST by lormand
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To: Polybius
There was a great cultural exchange between Byzantine and Italian Renaissance scholars during this period that did more to diffuse Classical learning in the West than Arabs ever did.

Perhaps, but this did not occur to any significant amount till after 1400. By that time, a lot of Greek learning had made its way into Western Europe thru Spain and other Moslem conduits. I contend that this earlier Greek learning was far more influential in the history (even the formation) of Western civilization than some humanistic polishing acquired during the Renaissance.

Without the Greek modes of thought transmitted by the Moslems, it is unlikely there would have been a High Middle Ages or a Renaissance.

60 posted on 01/11/2002 12:30:58 PM PST by Restorer
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To: Polybius
Thanks for your post. I appreciate the insight you have provided.
73 posted on 01/11/2002 4:42:58 PM PST by JeepInMazar
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