The Continuity of Late Ancient and Medieval Culture

Alkwin's interest in the liberal arts is an example of something we tend to underestimate, the continuity between late ancient and medieval culture. We see this in the political sphere, with Charlemagne dealing with the still existing Eastern Roman or Byzantine Empire. We see it in religion, with theological debates fought by Augustine and his contemporaries,. And we see it in philosophy too. Alongside Aristotle, the most dominant philosophical authorities in the medieval centuries were two Latin Christians: Augustine and Boethius.