"Ivan's exaggerated autocracy provided his country with a model for future rules, in addition to leaving it with a heavy burden." Roeck, The World at First Light
"The chance for bold projects to be begun and pursued for decades, indeed centuries, was a thousand times better in Latin Europe (with its sophisticated communication media) than in the Ottoman Empire."
"In contrast [to Islam and Judaism], Christendom arrived early on at a much more relaxed relationship with images, especially those depicting its deity."