Quote Originally posted by Ckrisz:
Grifman, absolutely true.

As for Byzantium saving civilization, let's just say that statement presumes that Byzantine and European civilization is the only civilization out there. Frankly, that's just a BIT presumptuous.[/QUOTE]

Well, I would disagree with you there. Byzantium did serve to protect the West from Islamic invasion from at least one direction (and the Franks protected the West from the other direction). And unless you think all civilizations are equal - and I don't - I am glad I grew up in the one I did (Western) and not another one. See Hanson's latest book "Carnage and Culture" for the differences between Western and other civilizations (including Islamic) - then see if you think all cultures are equal.

Grifman