They also studied the classics of Latin literature, especially the works of Virgil and Cicero, which they found impressive more in terms of style than content since these lacked the grace of Christian revelation. Pagan writings could never be embraced wholeheartedly in a Christian world, but despite their obvious defects, the ancient Greeks and Romans were often seen as paragons of virtue whose failure to accept Christ was due to ignorance rather than spiritual blindness or malice. Many were given