Until the advent of materialism and 19th c. dogma, Western Civilisation was superior to anything Islam had developed. Islam has not aided in the development of the modern world; in fact civilisation has only been created in spite of Islam. Proof of this resides in the 'modern' world and the unending political-economic and spiritual poverty of Muslim states and regions. Squatting on richer civilisations is not 'progress'. Islam is pagan, totalitarian, and irrational.
An incomplete and short list of notable Medieval personalities, inventors, philosophers, scientists, creators and society-changers.
These individuals explored the natural world, pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge.
Gerbert of Aurillac (Pope Sylvester II) (c. 946–1003): A scholar and pope who introduced Arabic numerals and mathematical knowledge to Europe.
Leonardo of Pisa (Fibonacci) (c. 1170–1250): An Italian mathematician who popularized the Hindu-Arabic numeral system and introduced the Fibonacci sequence.
Johannes de Sacrobosco (c. 1195–1256): A scholar who wrote influential works on astronomy and mathematics.
Robert Grosseteste (c. 1175–1253): A bishop and scholar who emphasized the importance of observation and experimentation in science.
Roger Bacon (c. 1214–1294): A Franciscan friar and scientist who advocated for the importance of empirical methods.
Jean Buridan (c. 1300–1358): A philosopher and scientist who developed the concept of impetus, a precursor to the modern concept of inertia.
Nicole Oresme (c. 1320–1382): A bishop and scholar who made contributions to mathematics, physics, and economics.
Members of the Oxford Merton School (14th-century scholars): A group of scholars at Merton College, Oxford, who made significant contributions to mechanics and mathematics.
Galileo Galilei (1564–1642): An Italian astronomer and physicist who made groundbreaking observations with his telescope and supported the heliocentric model of the universe.
Johannes Kepler (1571–1630): A German astronomer who discovered the laws of planetary motion.
Isaac Newton (1643–1727): An English physicist and mathematician who developed the laws of motion and universal gravitation.
These artists and architects created works of enduring beauty and innovation.
Those involved in the Cathedral School of Chartres: Masters and builders who contributed to the construction and design of Chartres Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
Byzantine mosaicists and icon painters: Anonymous artists who created the stunning mosaics and icons that decorate Byzantine churches.
Cimabue (c. 1240–1302): An Italian painter who bridged the gap between Byzantine and early Renaissance styles.
Giotto di Bondone (c. 1267–1337): An Italian painter and architect who revolutionized painting with his naturalistic style.
James of St. George (Late 13th Century): A master mason and architect who designed several castles in Wales for Edward I.
Caravaggio (1571–1610): An Italian painter known for his dramatic use of light and shadow (tenebrism).
Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640): A Flemish painter known for his dynamic Baroque style and grand historical and mythological scenes.
Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598–1680): An Italian sculptor and architect who was a leading figure in the Baroque movement.
Diego Velázquez (1599–1660): A Spanish painter known for his masterful portraits and realistic depictions of court life.
Artemisia Gentileschi (1593–c. 1656): An Italian Baroque painter known for her powerful depictions of women from history and mythology.
These figures played crucial roles in the development and preservation of Byzantine Christianity.
John Chrysostom (c. 349–407): Archbishop of Constantinople known for his eloquent sermons and his defense of the poor.
Justinian I (482–565): Byzantine emperor who codified Roman law and oversaw the construction of the Hagia Sophia.
Theodora (c. 500–548): Byzantine empress, wife of Justinian I, known for her influence and her support of women's rights.
Procopius (c. 500–562): A Byzantine historian who wrote about the reign of Justinian I.
John of Damascus (c. 675–749): A monk and theologian who defended the use of icons during the iconoclastic controversy.
Photios I of Constantinople (c. 810–893): Patriarch of Constantinople who played a key role in the Photian Schism.
Michael Psellos (1018–c. 1078): A Byzantine philosopher, historian, and writer.
Anna Comnena (1083–1153): A Byzantine princess and historian who wrote the Alexiad, a history of her father's reign.
Gregory Palamas (c. 1296–1359): A monk and theologian known for his defense of hesychasm, a mystical tradition of prayer.
These intrepid explorers ventured into the unknown, expanding geographical knowledge and establishing new trade routes.
Vikings (9th Century): Scandinavian seafarers who explored and raided across Europe and the North Atlantic.
Bartholomew Diaz (c. 1450–1500): A Portuguese explorer who was the first European to round the southern tip of Africa.
Christopher Columbus (1451–1506): An Italian explorer who sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492, reaching the Americas.
Vasco da Gama (c. 1460 or 1469–1524): A Portuguese explorer who discovered the sea route to India.
John Cabot (c. 1450–1499): An Italian explorer who explored the coast of North America for England.
Ferdinand Magellan (c. 1480–1521): A Portuguese explorer who led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe.
Jacques Cartier (1491–1557): A French explorer who explored the St. Lawrence River and laid claim to Canada for France.
Martin Frobisher (c. 1535–1594): An English explorer who searched for the Northwest Passage.
Francis Drake (c. 1540–1596): An English explorer and privateer who circumnavigated the globe and challenged Spanish dominance at sea.
Henry Hudson (c. 1565–1611): An English explorer who explored parts of North America, including the Hudson River and Hudson Bay.