> Another is the destruction of the library at Alexandria, which was supposedly done by accident, against orders. Had that not been destroyed would we be substantially further ahead now?
I doubt it made much difference to progress. Having knowledge locked up without the culture that made it is not that helpful.
On the other hand, the destruction of Baghdad by the Mongols had far reaching impact. Not only were the books destroyed (supposedly the river ran black with the ink of all the books tossed into it) but the populate was massacred (after which the river ran red with blood).
This had a profound effect on the Arab/Muslim world that I think is still felt to this day.
I doubt it made much difference to progress. Having knowledge locked up without the culture that made it is not that helpful.
On the other hand, the destruction of Baghdad by the Mongols had far reaching impact. Not only were the books destroyed (supposedly the river ran black with the ink of all the books tossed into it) but the populate was massacred (after which the river ran red with blood).
This had a profound effect on the Arab/Muslim world that I think is still felt to this day.