The darkening age

About “The darkening age”

Catherine Nixey's The Darkening Age presents a history of the rise of Christianity in the classical world, focusing on the violence and intolerance that accompanied its spread. The book describes instances where Christian followers attacked classical culture, including the dismemberment of non-converts in Harran and the murder of philosopher Hypatia in Alexandria. It also details the destruction of Alexandria's Great Library and the city's temple. Nixey argues that these actions contributed to a decline in Western civilization, leading to the loss of most Latin literature and many ancient traditions. She suggests that evidence of these campaigns of destruction can be found in palimpsests and shattered statues in churches and museums. The book offers a critical view of Christianity's rise, highlighting its role in plunging the world into a period of intellectual darkness.