What if Plato's Academy hadn't been closed by Justinian in 529 AD, and had instead operated continually to the present day?
I think to the present day, uninterrupted, is a bit ambitious.
It would probably eventually reform itself into a modern university and claim to be the oldest in the world, like that one in Morocco and those ones in China.
They´d be arrogant pricks![]()
One thing, they need to disassociate themselves with paganism. Even if Justinian decided to leave them alone, the next emperor might be less tolerant and shut them down.
So basically, make them avid supporters of the empire and adapt to the times in terms of philosophy.
Then they might last under the Byzantines, but if the Ottomans take over as OTL, I suppose they must then move on with the times as well. Although the Ottomans were fairly secular.
If they were still running they´d influence Greece a lot. And affect classicism in Europe, Romanticism, renaissance, etc.
Yes, but think of the possibilities! What if the Western world gets a few more great philosophical minds out of the Academy? Who knows what could come out of there...proto-communism? Byzantine fascism (quite a stretch, and definite analogue-wank, but you get the idea)? An earlier popularized Theory of Evolution?
Maybe if the persons in question are dedicated enough to leave Justinians empire and go to .... Rome? or even armenia?
A fair number fled to Persia if that is what you are wondering. Could it have held together under the Caliphate?Maybe if the persons in question are dedicated enough to leave Justinians empire and go to .... Rome? or even armenia?
Already done by Plato!![]()
Maybe if the persons in question are dedicated enough to leave Justinians empire and go to .... Rome? or even armenia?
I'm a little unclear on the history after the 4th Crusade; who actually takes Athens? Is it the Venetians? If so, would they try to move the Academy to Venice? That would be quite a PR coup for them, and they did so love the pillaging.