How, or even whether, Greek learning disappeared in not important to my point, which is that many Romans tried and failed to learn science from Greek books.
The most important event was Ptolemy VIII’s persecution of scholars, an event not directly involving Rome. But Greek learning in Pergamon also disappeared, around the same time, which was a fairly peaceful Roman takeover.
This rings false. Greek learning didn’t disappear just because the already faltering Hellenistic dynasties were toppled.
How, or even whether, Greek learning disappeared in not important to my point, which is that many Romans tried and failed to learn science from Greek books.
The most important event was Ptolemy VIII’s persecution of scholars, an event not directly involving Rome. But Greek learning in Pergamon also disappeared, around the same time, which was a fairly peaceful Roman takeover.