Byzantine science played an important role in the transmission
of classical knowledge to the Islamic world and to Renaissance
Italy, and also in the transmission of Arabic science to
Renaissance Italy. Its rich historiographical tradition
preserved ancient knowledge upon which splendid art,
architecture, literature and technological achievements were
built.  Classical and ecclesiastical studies Byzantine science
was essentially classical science. Therefore, Byzantine science
was in every period closely connected with ancient-pagan
philosophy, and metaphysics. Despite some opposition to pagan
learning, many of the most distinguished classical scholars held
high office in the Church. The most noteworthy oppositions
include the closing of the Platonic Academy in 529, the
obscurantism of Cosmas Indicopleustes, the condemnation of
Ioannis Italos (1082) and of Georgios Plethon because of their
devotion to ancient philosophy. The writings of antiquity never
ceased to be cultivated in the Byzantine empire due to the