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Volume IV. The Age of Faith
Encompassing the history of medieval civilization (Byzantine, Islamic, Judaic, and West European) from Constantinople to Dante (AD 325-1330).
As usual, Durant delivers with incredible understanding, nuance, & grace. https://www.amazon.com/Age-Faith-Story-Civilization-IV-ebook/dp/B004ZZRZIG
Encompassing the history of medieval civilization (Byzantine, Islamic, Judaic, and West European) from Constantinople to Dante (AD 325-1330).
As usual, Durant delivers with incredible understanding, nuance, & grace. https://www.amazon.com/Age-Faith-Story-Civilization-IV-ebook/dp/B004ZZRZIG
1/ To the reader
"The meeting and conflict of the four cultures in the Crusades provides a measure of unity; and the tired reader, appalled by the length of the book, may find some consolation in learning that the original manuscript was half again longer than the present text."
"The meeting and conflict of the four cultures in the Crusades provides a measure of unity; and the tired reader, appalled by the length of the book, may find some consolation in learning that the original manuscript was half again longer than the present text."
2/ Corruption, taxation, & the rise of feudalism
"Nevertheless, if we may believe Salvian, some citizens fled across the frontier to live under barbarian kings who had not yet learned the full art of taxation; “the agents of the Treasury seemed more terrible than the enemy.”
"Nevertheless, if we may believe Salvian, some citizens fled across the frontier to live under barbarian kings who had not yet learned the full art of taxation; “the agents of the Treasury seemed more terrible than the enemy.”
3/ The Western Roman Empire, near the end of the 4th century, was in a complex web of both political and military decay, as well as cultural vibrancy
"Every civilization is a fruit from the sturdy tree of barbarism, and falls at the greatest distance from the trunk."
"Every civilization is a fruit from the sturdy tree of barbarism, and falls at the greatest distance from the trunk."
4/ The unraveling of the pagan majority
Pleading with the citizen's of Rome, “What does it matter by what road each man seeks the truth? By no one road can men come to the understanding of so great a mystery”
Pleading with the citizen's of Rome, “What does it matter by what road each man seeks the truth? By no one road can men come to the understanding of so great a mystery”
5/ Alaric, 1st king of the Visigoths, & the barbarian flood
"They warned him that a million Romans were ready to resist; he laughed, and answered,
“The thicker the hay, the more easily it is mowed.”"
"They warned him that a million Romans were ready to resist; he laughed, and answered,
“The thicker the hay, the more easily it is mowed.”"
6/ Alaric's burial legend - inspiration for Genghis Khan?
"Slaves diverted the flow of the river Busento to bare a secure and spacious grave for him; the stream was then brought back to its course; and to conceal the spot the slaves who had performed these labors were slain."
"Slaves diverted the flow of the river Busento to bare a secure and spacious grave for him; the stream was then brought back to its course; and to conceal the spot the slaves who had performed these labors were slain."
7/ A new beginning
"the wheel of history came full turn; the beginning and the end were the same. But the end was always a beginning."
Dark or Game of Thrones anyone?
"the wheel of history came full turn; the beginning and the end were the same. But the end was always a beginning."
Dark or Game of Thrones anyone?
8/ Institutions, beliefs, & the forging of a new Christian civilization
"The historic function of Christianity was to re-establish the moral basis of character and society by providing supernatural sanctions and support for the uncongenial commandments of social order;"
"The historic function of Christianity was to re-establish the moral basis of character and society by providing supernatural sanctions and support for the uncongenial commandments of social order;"
9/ The organization of the Church 
"If art is the organization of materials, the Roman Catholic Church is among the most imposing masterpieces of history."
"If art is the organization of materials, the Roman Catholic Church is among the most imposing masterpieces of history."
10/ If you replace the Church with Silicon Valley, has much changed?
"The career of Ambrose (340?–398) illustrates the power of Christianity to draw into its service first-rate men who, a generation earlier, would have served the state."
"The career of Ambrose (340?–398) illustrates the power of Christianity to draw into its service first-rate men who, a generation earlier, would have served the state."
11/ The Church & intellectual development
"She exalted feeling above intellect; in this sense Christianity was a “romantic” reaction against the “classic” trust in reason; Rousseau was merely a lesser Augustine."
"She exalted feeling above intellect; in this sense Christianity was a “romantic” reaction against the “classic” trust in reason; Rousseau was merely a lesser Augustine."
12/ Hagia Sophia, the Holy Wisdom, & the inauguration of the Byzantine style
"Procopius described the dome as “a work admirable and terrifying … seeming not to rest on the masonry below it, but to be suspended by a chain of gold from the height of the sky.”"
"Procopius described the dome as “a work admirable and terrifying … seeming not to rest on the masonry below it, but to be suspended by a chain of gold from the height of the sky.”"
13/ Cont'd
Procopius writing, “When one enters this building to pray, he feels that it is not the work of human power. … The soul, lifting itself to the sky, realizes that here God is close by, and that He takes delight in this, His chosen home.”
Procopius writing, “When one enters this building to pray, he feels that it is not the work of human power. … The soul, lifting itself to the sky, realizes that here God is close by, and that He takes delight in this, His chosen home.”
14/ The last Persian imperial dynasty, the Sasanian Empire (224-651 AD), the virality of its art, & its lasting influence
"Nothing is lost in history: sooner or later every creative idea finds opportunity and development, and adds its color to the flame of life."
"Nothing is lost in history: sooner or later every creative idea finds opportunity and development, and adds its color to the flame of life."
15/ Religion & context
"The historian does not ask if a theology is true—through what omniscience might he judge? Rather he inquires what social and psychological factors combined to produce the religion;"
"The historian does not ask if a theology is true—through what omniscience might he judge? Rather he inquires what social and psychological factors combined to produce the religion;"
16/ Muawiyah I, Umayyad Caliphate (661-750 AD)
"“I apply not my sword,” he said, “where my lash suffices, nor my lash where my tongue is enough. And even if there be one hair binding me to my fellow men I do not let it break; when they pull I loosen, and if they loosen I pull.”"
"“I apply not my sword,” he said, “where my lash suffices, nor my lash where my tongue is enough. And even if there be one hair binding me to my fellow men I do not let it break; when they pull I loosen, and if they loosen I pull.”"
17/ The cultivation & ingenuity of the Islamic economy
"CIVILIZATION is a union of soil and soul—the resources of the earth transformed by the desire and discipline of men...These are the patient yet restless leviathan on whose swaying back civilization precariously rides."
"CIVILIZATION is a union of soil and soul—the resources of the earth transformed by the desire and discipline of men...These are the patient yet restless leviathan on whose swaying back civilization precariously rides."
18/ The famous "Dome of the Rock", a shrine to house the rock from which Mohammed is said to have ascended into heaven.
The elegance, delicacy, & uniqueness of decoration & form is a beauty.
The elegance, delicacy, & uniqueness of decoration & form is a beauty.
19/ Damascus, capital of the Umayyad dynasty, known to history as the "Garden of the Earth" & home to the Great Mosque built in 715
"“If,” said a traveler, “a man were to sojourn here a hundred years, and pondered each day on what he saw, he would see something new every day.”"
"“If,” said a traveler, “a man were to sojourn here a hundred years, and pondered each day on what he saw, he would see something new every day.”"
20/ While I'm all for the long melodious prose of Durant, I do find joy in his pithy phrases
"only lunatics can be completely original"
"synthesis must pay that price as long as life is brief"
*In reference to the Persian polymath, Avicenna
"only lunatics can be completely original"
"synthesis must pay that price as long as life is brief"
*In reference to the Persian polymath, Avicenna
21/ Sufis, Muslim mysticism, & revelation
"The soul untouched by logic, too weak of wing for the metaphysical flight from the many to the one, from incident to law, might reach that vision through a mystic absorption of the separate self in the soul of the world."
"The soul untouched by logic, too weak of wing for the metaphysical flight from the many to the one, from incident to law, might reach that vision through a mystic absorption of the separate self in the soul of the world."
22/ Islamic miniatures
"Art is significance rendered with feeling through form; but the feeling must accept discipline, and the form must have structure and meaning, even if the meaning outreach the realm of words. This is the art of illumination, as of the profoundest music."
"Art is significance rendered with feeling through form; but the feeling must accept discipline, and the form must have structure and meaning, even if the meaning outreach the realm of words. This is the art of illumination, as of the profoundest music."
23/ Islamic artist & artisan
"If medieval civilization made little distinction between artist and artisan it was not to belittle the artist but to ennoble the artisan; the goal of every industry was to become an art."
cc @wrathofgnon
"If medieval civilization made little distinction between artist and artisan it was not to belittle the artist but to ennoble the artisan; the goal of every industry was to become an art."
cc @wrathofgnon
24/ Moorish Spain & collapse of the Cordovan caliphate
"But the ardor that destroys is seldom mated with the patience that builds."
"But the ardor that destroys is seldom mated with the patience that builds."
25/ The height of Seljuq miniature painting & and its "designs as delicate as a spider's web"
"“Imagination,” said a Persian poet, “cannot grasp the joy that reason draws from a fine-drawn line.”"
"“Imagination,” said a Persian poet, “cannot grasp the joy that reason draws from a fine-drawn line.”"
26/ Persia & its richness of poetry
Lines from one of Persia's greatest figures in literature, Anvari (1185):
Lines from one of Persia's greatest figures in literature, Anvari (1185):
27/ Averroës (1126-98), the Commentator, 2nd only to Avicenna as the most influential figure in Islamic philosophy
"he argued...that though a little philosophy might incline a man to atheism, unhindered study would lead to a better understanding between religion and philosophy"
"he argued...that though a little philosophy might incline a man to atheism, unhindered study would lead to a better understanding between religion and philosophy"
28/ The decline of the Seljuqs & the coming of the Mongols (1219-58)
"Once again history illustrated the truism that civilized comfort attracts barbarian conquest."
"Once again history illustrated the truism that civilized comfort attracts barbarian conquest."
29/ The long arc of civilization
"As men are members of one another, and generations are moments in a family line, so civilizations are units in a larger whole whose name is history; they are stages in the life of man."
"As men are members of one another, and generations are moments in a family line, so civilizations are units in a larger whole whose name is history; they are stages in the life of man."
30/ The Talmud & the humility needed to attempt a synthesis of it
31/ TIL the origin of the word testimony...
32/ The ebb & flow of reason & belief 
"The life of the mind is a composition of two forces: the necessity to believe in order to live, and the necessity to reason in order to advance."
"The life of the mind is a composition of two forces: the necessity to believe in order to live, and the necessity to reason in order to advance."
33/ File under good sentences
"The isles of science and philosophy are everywhere washed by mystic seas. Intellect narrows hope, and only the fortunate can bear it gladly."
"The isles of science and philosophy are everywhere washed by mystic seas. Intellect narrows hope, and only the fortunate can bear it gladly."
34/ The Byzantine Renaissance (9-10th c. AD) & the transmission of Greek heritage
"But its very wealth discouraged originality; it is easier for the ignorant than for the learned to be original."
"But its very wealth discouraged originality; it is easier for the ignorant than for the learned to be original."
35/ Anglo-Saxon Civilization (1066 AD) & literature
"Literary prose comes later than poetry in all literatures, as intellect matures long after fancy blooms; men talk prose for centuries “without knowing it,” before they have leisure or vanity to mold it into art."
"Literary prose comes later than poetry in all literatures, as intellect matures long after fancy blooms; men talk prose for centuries “without knowing it,” before they have leisure or vanity to mold it into art."
36/ Edward the Confessor (1042-66) & Westminster Abbey
"Westminster Abbey was the beginning of an architectural efflorescence that would give England the finest Romanesque buildings in Europe."
"Westminster Abbey was the beginning of an architectural efflorescence that would give England the finest Romanesque buildings in Europe."
37/ The finest achievement of Irish art, the "Book of Kells" - the Four Gospels in Latin (9th c.)
"Nothing in Christian illuminated manuscripts surpasses the Book of Kells. Gerald of Wales, though always jealous of Ireland, called it the work of angels masquerading as men."
"Nothing in Christian illuminated manuscripts surpasses the Book of Kells. Gerald of Wales, though always jealous of Ireland, called it the work of angels masquerading as men."
38/ The Norse expansion
"History seldom destroys that which does not deserve to die; and the burning of the tares makes for the next sowing a richer soil."
"History seldom destroys that which does not deserve to die; and the burning of the tares makes for the next sowing a richer soil."
39/ The village community & the lasting legacy of feudal Christendom on Modern Europe
"At the beginning of the Middle Ages the greater part of Europe’s soil was untilled and unpeopled forest and waste; at their end the Continent had been won for civilization."
"At the beginning of the Middle Ages the greater part of Europe’s soil was untilled and unpeopled forest and waste; at their end the Continent had been won for civilization."
40/ Feudal Europe, the baron (the manager of men), & his 3 main functions:
1. Provide military protection
2. Organize agriculture, industry, & trade
3. Serve his lord or king in war
"Under every system of economy men who can manage men manage men who can only manage things."
1. Provide military protection
2. Organize agriculture, industry, & trade
3. Serve his lord or king in war
"Under every system of economy men who can manage men manage men who can only manage things."
41/ The 3rd Crusade & the Treaty of Jaffa
"Saladin’s moderation, patience, and justice had defeated Richard’s brilliance, courage, and military art; the relative unity and fidelity of the Moslem leaders had triumphed over the divisions and disloyalties of the feudal chiefs;"
"Saladin’s moderation, patience, and justice had defeated Richard’s brilliance, courage, and military art; the relative unity and fidelity of the Moslem leaders had triumphed over the divisions and disloyalties of the feudal chiefs;"
42/ The rise of industry, expansion of commerce, & the impending economic revolution that was to follow the Crusades 
"War does one good—it teaches people geography."
"War does one good—it teaches people geography."
43/ Commercial revival & expansion of trade
"EVERY cultural flowering finds root and nourishment in an expansion of commerce and industry"
"For society, as well as for an individual, primum est edere, deinde philosophari—eating must come before philosophy, wealth before art."
"EVERY cultural flowering finds root and nourishment in an expansion of commerce and industry"
"For society, as well as for an individual, primum est edere, deinde philosophari—eating must come before philosophy, wealth before art."
44/ Looking to study the history of financial organizations? You'd be hard-pressed to find an institution better fit for the task than the Church.
"Where did the money come from that financed and expanded commerce and industry? The greatest single provider was the Church."
"Where did the money come from that financed and expanded commerce and industry? The greatest single provider was the Church."
45/ Insurance & its 13th century beginnings
This also reminded me of the fascinating article from @NickSzabo4 on the "Birth of Insurance".
h/t @michael_nielsen for sharing!
https://twitter.com/michael_nielsen/status/1282794785745428481?s=20
This also reminded me of the fascinating article from @NickSzabo4 on the "Birth of Insurance".
h/t @michael_nielsen for sharing!
https://twitter.com/michael_nielsen/status/1282794785745428481?s=20
46/ Name the cognitive bias, Will Durant edition
"As, in a limitless universe, any point may be taken as center, so, in the pageant of civilizations and states, each nation, like each soul, interprets the drama of history or life in terms of its own role and character."
"As, in a limitless universe, any point may be taken as center, so, in the pageant of civilizations and states, each nation, like each soul, interprets the drama of history or life in terms of its own role and character."
47/ Magna Carta (1215)
"it defined & safeguarded basic rights; it established habeas corpus & trial by jury; it gave to an incipient Parliament a power of the purse that would later arm the nation against tyranny; it transformed absolute into limited & constitutional monarchy."
"it defined & safeguarded basic rights; it established habeas corpus & trial by jury; it gave to an incipient Parliament a power of the purse that would later arm the nation against tyranny; it transformed absolute into limited & constitutional monarchy."
48/ Frederick II (1194-1250), Holy Roman Emperor
"The virtù, or masculine unscrupulous intelligence, of the Renaissance despots was an echo of Frederick’s character and mind, without his grace and charm."
He "was the “man of the Renaissance” a century before its time."
"The virtù, or masculine unscrupulous intelligence, of the Renaissance despots was an echo of Frederick’s character and mind, without his grace and charm."
He "was the “man of the Renaissance” a century before its time."
49/ The dismemberment of Italy & the setting of the stage for the great rebirth
"We must remind ourselves again that the historian, like the journalist, is forever tempted to sacrifice the normal to the dramatic, and never quite conveys an adequate picture of any age."
"We must remind ourselves again that the historian, like the journalist, is forever tempted to sacrifice the normal to the dramatic, and never quite conveys an adequate picture of any age."
50/ The Roman Catholic Church (1095-1294) & its omnipotence in medieval history
"the world needed a creed that would balance tribulation with hope, soften bereavement with solace, redeem the prose of toil with the poetry of belief, cancel life’s brevity with continuance..."
"the world needed a creed that would balance tribulation with hope, soften bereavement with solace, redeem the prose of toil with the poetry of belief, cancel life’s brevity with continuance..."
51/ The surrender of Christendom to God, the Church, & salvation
"The power of Christianity lay in its offering to the people faith rather than knowledge, art rather than science, beauty rather than truth."
"The power of Christianity lay in its offering to the people faith rather than knowledge, art rather than science, beauty rather than truth."
52/ One of the most famous Medieval Latin poems, Dies era, "Day of Wrath"
It's also one of the most quoted poems in musical literature, not least of which, movie scores.
h/t @SoundtrackHSW & @voxdotcom
https://twitter.com/SoundtrackHSW/status/989587447049805824?s=20
It's also one of the most quoted poems in musical literature, not least of which, movie scores.
h/t @SoundtrackHSW & @voxdotcom
https://twitter.com/SoundtrackHSW/status/989587447049805824?s=20
53/ The medieval Inquisition & its stain on the record of humankind
"Intolerance is the natural concomitant of strong faith; tolerance grows only when faith loses certainty; certainty is murderous."
"Intolerance is the natural concomitant of strong faith; tolerance grows only when faith loses certainty; certainty is murderous."
54/ St. Francis of Assisi & his preaching
"Anticipating Goethe’s dictum that knowledge that does not lead to action is vain and poisonous, Francis said,..."A man has only so much knowledge as he puts to work.”"
Pairs well w/ @simonsarris's piece here
https://simonsarris.substack.com/p/in-praise-of-the-gods
"Anticipating Goethe’s dictum that knowledge that does not lead to action is vain and poisonous, Francis said,..."A man has only so much knowledge as he puts to work.”"
Pairs well w/ @simonsarris's piece here
https://simonsarris.substack.com/p/in-praise-of-the-gods
55/ Illustrious praise for the nuns
"Their lives of quiet devotion and cheerful ministration have made many generations blessed. When all the sins of history are weighed in the balance, the virtues of these women will tip the scale against them, and redeem our race."
"Their lives of quiet devotion and cheerful ministration have made many generations blessed. When all the sins of history are weighed in the balance, the virtues of these women will tip the scale against them, and redeem our race."
56/ Morals, manners, & the social of organization of Christendom
"instincts without the inhibitions would end civilization; the inhibitions without the instincts would end life. The problem of morality is to adjust inhibitions to protect civilization without enfeebling life."
"instincts without the inhibitions would end civilization; the inhibitions without the instincts would end life. The problem of morality is to adjust inhibitions to protect civilization without enfeebling life."
57/ The moral advances in the age of Christ
"It gave men peace of mind against the baffling riddles of the universe, though at the cost of discouraging science and philosophy... it taught men that patriotism unchecked by a higher loyalty is a tool of mass greed and crime."
"It gave men peace of mind against the baffling riddles of the universe, though at the cost of discouraging science and philosophy... it taught men that patriotism unchecked by a higher loyalty is a tool of mass greed and crime."
58/ Gothic sculpture in all its grace
"There is a depth of feeling in this Gothic sculpture, a variety and energy of life, a sympathy with all the forms of the plant and animal world, a tenderness, gentleness, and grace, a miracle of stone revealing not flesh but the soul"
"There is a depth of feeling in this Gothic sculpture, a variety and energy of life, a sympathy with all the forms of the plant and animal world, a tenderness, gentleness, and grace, a miracle of stone revealing not flesh but the soul"
59/ The rise of the cathedrals after 1050 & the origin of the architect.
A time when the artisan & artist were one; a time when every industry strove to be an art.
Of course, this is nothing to new to @wrathofgnon
https://twitter.com/wrathofgnon/status/1160088725121949697?s=20
A time when the artisan & artist were one; a time when every industry strove to be an art.
Of course, this is nothing to new to @wrathofgnon
https://twitter.com/wrathofgnon/status/1160088725121949697?s=20
