Contemporary connoisseurs - true, few in number - know that byzantine civilization and culture were created as a synthesis of all the political, religious and intellectual elements of the ancient world in decline: the latin tradition, hellenism, christianity, eastern culture etc. Lack of originality is relative and one who reflects on the evolution of byzantine medicine would think that greco-roman science, after ascending to the greatest heights, had stopped to catch its breath and, before going further, started to organize its conquered land. Things were so thoroughly and magisterially fulfilled so that it could be taken as an excellent example to follow through the centuries. Over a period of more than 11 centuries, while the West was living an era of fragmentation, the byzantine empire created an absolute monarchy and a highly centralized administration; it preserved classical traditions, such as the roman culture and law, in which they integrated oriental elements and extended its civilizing and cultural action to the countries of southeastern and eastern Europe. Today, through the rediscovery of Byzantium by historians and theologians who are trying to reintroduce the Holy Fathers of the Church in the West`s conscience and moral speech, we witness the triumphant march of techno-science.

Keywords: Byzantium, civilization, the West, Orthodoxy, techno-science

MIRCEA GELU BUTA