The Byzantine Empire played a crucial role in the preservation of ancient texts, particularly during the Middle Ages. As the Eastern Roman Empire, the Byzantines maintained a wealth of Greek and Roman academic and literary works, many of which might have been lost during the chaotic periods following the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Byzantine scholars meticulously copied and preserved classical texts, contributing to the continuation of Greek philosophy, science, and literature. This effort directly influenced the Renaissance in Western Europe, as manuscripts were rediscovered and disseminated, bridging ancient knowledge with emerging modern thought and art, thereby shaping the intellectual landscape of Europe.