Irish monks as ambassadors of enlightenment from "summary" of How The Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill
The Irish monks were not just monks; they were emissaries of light in an age of darkness. As Europe descended into chaos following the collapse of the Roman Empire, these monks carried the torch of knowledge and civilization from the East to the West. They traveled far and wide, establishing monasteries and schools wherever they went, preserving the wisdom of the ancient world and transmitting it to future generations. These monks were not content to simply copy manuscripts; they were scholars in their own right. They delved into the texts they copied, adding annotations and commentary that shed new light on the classics. They were not afraid to question, to debate, to challenge the prevailing orthodoxy. In doing so, they kept the flame of learning alive during a time when it seemed all but extinguished. But the monks did not limit themselves to scholarly pursuits; they were also practical men of action. They cleared the land, built the walls, and tilled the soil. They were architects, engineers, and farmers. They were self-sufficient communities, producing everything they needed to survive. And in doing so, they set an e...
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