Maybe... But by then, the Reconquista was already well under way, Europe was sponging what remained of the Muslim world's technological advances through Spain a

Maybe... But by then, the Reconquista was already well under way, Europe was sponging what remained of the Muslim world's technological advances through Spain and Sicily (they did science and tech long before art), Byzantium was basically decadent and oblivious to the fact that the Roman Empire was no longer relevant, and Eastern societal values were entrenched. Plus, geographical context arguably played in Europe's favor for the latter: cut some trees and start planting likely yields more individualistic and competitive values (small kingsoms) than flood plains that require intense cooperation and submission to the greater good of society (large empires).