[A historian] will more seriously deplore the loss of the…
![“[A historian] will more seriously deplore the loss of the Byzantine libraries, which were destroyed or scattered in the general confusion: one hundred and twenty thousand manuscripts are said to have disappeared; ten volumes might be purchased for a single ducat; and the same ignominious price…” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/6e5/edward-gibbon-710_ancient-greece_a-historian-will-more-seriously-deplore_638477.png)
““[A historian] will more seriously deplore the loss of the Byzantine libraries, which were destroyed or scattered in the general confusion: one hundred and twenty thousand manuscripts are said to have disappeared; ten volumes might be purchased for a single ducat; and the same ignominious price, too high perhaps for a shelf of theology, included the whole works of Aristotle and Homer, the noblest productions of the sciences and literature of ancient Greece.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The loss of Byzantine manuscripts represents a massive cultural tragedy, erasing priceless knowledge.
In simple terms: Loss of ancient texts is a huge cultural loss.
Key Takeaway
Preserve and digitize remaining works.
Themes
cultural loss
preservation
knowledge
history
books
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
historical
educational
When to use this quote
- archival work
- academic research
- education policy
Key Concepts
Library science
history of ideas
cultural heritage
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we prevent future loss of cultural heritage?
- What role should technology play in preservation?
A Different Perspective
Even with loss, some knowledge can be reconstructed.