The fate of Greek literature after the fall Rome?

The fall of Rome in 476 CE didn't mark a sudden end to Greek literature, but rather a significant shift in its context and trajectory. While the Western Roman Empire's collapse dramatically altered the political landscape, the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium) continued to thrive, serving as a crucial center for preserving and developing Greek culture, including its literature.

Here's a breakdown of what happened:

In the East (Byzantium):

* Continuation of Classical Tradition: Byzantine scholars diligently copied and studied classical Greek texts, ensuring their survival. This involved extensive library work, commentary, and the creation of anthologies. Think of figures like Photius, whose *Bibliotheca* provided invaluable summaries of lost works.

* Development of New Genres: While classical styles remained influential, new genres flourished. These included religious literature (hagiographies, homilies), historical chronicles (Procopius), and theological treatises. Byzantine poetry also developed its own distinctive forms and styles.

* Influence on Language: The evolution of the Greek language continued, with the development of Middle and eventually Modern Greek. This impacted the style and vocabulary of literature.

* Transmission to the West: Byzantine scholars played a key role in reintroducing classical Greek literature to Western Europe during the Renaissance, when their manuscripts and scholarship were rediscovered and studied.

In the West:

* Limited Survival: In the West, the disruption caused by the fall of Rome led to a decline in literacy and the preservation of classical Greek texts. Many works were lost or damaged, though some survived in monastic libraries.

* Influence on Latin Literature: Although Greek literature's direct influence was diminished, its indirect impact on Latin literature continued, as Latin writers drew upon Roman adaptations and interpretations of Greek themes and styles.

* Slow Rediscovery: The rediscovery of Greek texts in the West was a gradual process, beginning in the late Middle Ages and accelerating during the Renaissance, primarily through contact with Byzantium.

In Summary:

The fall of Rome didn't extinguish Greek literature, but fundamentally altered its geographical and cultural context. While the West experienced a period of relative neglect, Byzantium became the vital center for its preservation and evolution. The transmission of Greek texts and scholarship from Byzantium back to the West was crucial to the intellectual flowering of the Renaissance and the continued influence of Greek literature on Western civilization. It's important to understand this as a process of continuity and change rather than a simple ending.