When did we lose the learning of the Ancient Greek philosophers? How long was it lost?

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The learning of the Ancient Greek philosophers, particularly during the Hellenistic period and the subsequent Roman Empire, was not entirely lost but rather transformed and transmitted through various means. However, there were significant periods when access to this knowledge was limited or obscured.

1. **Fall of the Western Roman Empire (5th Century AD)**: After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the late 5th century, much of the classical knowledge was preserved in the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium) but became less accessible in Western Europe. The decline of urban centers and the rise of feudalism contributed to a loss of educational infrastructure.

2. **Middle Ages (5th to 15th Century)**: During the early Middle Ages, many texts from Ancient Greece were lost or forgotten in Western Europe. The focus shifted to religious studies, and the works of philosophers like Aristotle and Plato were not widely studied. However, some of their works were preserved by Islamic scholars, who translated and commented on them.

3. **Renaissance (14th to 17th Century)**: The rediscovery of Ancient Greek philosophy began in earnest during the Renaissance, when scholars in Italy and elsewhere sought out Greek texts, often through translations from Arabic. This period marked a revival of interest in classical learning, leading to the reintroduction of Greek philosophy into Western thought.

In summary, while the knowledge of Ancient Greek philosophers was not completely lost, it experienced significant decline and obscurity, particularly in Western Europe from the 5th to the 14th centuries. The duration of this obscurity can be roughly estimated to be around 800 to 1000 years, until the Renaissance sparked a renewed interest in classical philosophy.
The learning of Ancient Greek philosophers was not entirely lost but was largely forgotten in Western Europe from the 5th to the 15th centuries, a period of about 800 to 1000 years. It was rediscovered during the Renaissance when scholars began studying and reintroducing Greek philosophical works.

When did we lose the learning of the Ancient Greek philosophers? How long was it lost?

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