The writings of antiquity never ceased to be cultivated in the Byzantine Empire because of the impetus given to classical studies by the Academy of Athens in the 4th and 5th centuries, the vigor of the philosophical academy of Alexandria, and to the services of the University of Constantinople, which concerned itself entirely with secular subjects, to the exclusion of theology, which was taught in the Patriarchical Academy. Even the latter offered instruction in the ancient classics and included literary, philosophical, and scientific texts in its curriculum. The monastic schools concentrated upon the Bible, theology, and liturgy.
The writings of antiquity continued to be studied in the Byzantine Empire due to the encouragement provided by the Academy of Athens in the 4th and 5th centuries, the intensity of the philosophical academy of Alexandria, and the expertise offered by the University of Constantinople, which focused exclusively on secular subjects, excluding theology, which was taught in the Patriarchical Academy. Even the latter included instruction in ancient classics and incorporated literary, philosophical, and scientific texts into its curriculum.