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The fall of the city was to have immense consequences for the Italian Renaissance. Fleeing Greek scholars were to decisively influence the direction and the course of the Renaissance. It led to an increasing availability of Greek learning that changed the intellectual climate in Italy. This led to a greater knowledge of Ancient Greek language and lore in the field of philosophy and Renaissance science. The Fall of Constantinople also changed the geopolitics of the Mediterranean and it left Italy exposed to Ottoman attacks. The end of the Byzantine Empire also contributed to the decline of the great cities of Genoa and Venice.
====Background====
====Greek scholars and the Italian Renaissance====
The fall of Constantinople and the remaining Byzantine territories led to a flood of refugees traveling to Europe and especially Western Europe. Many settled in Italy and in particular, many scholars found refuge in Italy. These refugees included grammarians, humanists, poets, writers, printers, lecturers, musicians, astronomers, architects scribes, philosophers, scientists, politicians, and theologians. They brought with them manuscripts from the destroyed libraries of Constantinople and other Byzantine cities.<ref> Deno J. Geanakoplos, [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0208016155/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0208016155&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=bc6767fb9c8aae8c080f08a6bc0a2deb Byzantine East and Latin West: Two worlds of Christendom in Middle Ages and Renaissance] (Harper & Row Publishers, New York, 1966), p. 117</ref> Prior to the 15th century the Italian humanist has been preoccupied with the study of rhetoric. They were not really interested in metaphysical speculation. However, this was to change with the introduction of, for the first time of the complete works of Plato. The dialogues of the Fifth-century Athenian philosopher was to transform the views of many humanists. In Florence, the works of Plato led to the development of a neo-Platonist school of philosophy. The introduction of the thought of Plato led to a greater focus on metaphysical rather than ethical speculations. The Greek scholars also brought original copies of the works of Aristotle. Previously the works of this great thinker were only available through Arab commentaries especially those of Averroes. For the first time after the fall of Constantinople, Italian humanists could study the work of this philosopher under the guidance of Byzantine refugees. This led to a new appreciation of the Greek and his thought and many argue that it influences the humanists' concept of Virtu or excellence.<ref>Deno, p. 118</ref>
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==== The Fall of Constantinople: Venice and Genoa====
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