Which is the best description of how medieval monks contributed to western culture and civilization? a) they organized and led bands of "crusaders" who defended europe from muslim attackers. b) much of their artwork served as the inspiration for the "renaissance" that developed in italy. c) they preserve the learning, writing, and culture of the early greeks, romans, and christians. d) they re-wrote the bible and changed many of its original stories and messages so that european peasants could understand them.

C) They helped preserve the learning, writing, and culture of the early Greeks, Romans, and Christians.

Explanation:

Irish monasteries of the sixth and seventh century  played a major role in preserving the remains of ancient culture.

Ireland, located on the extreme frontier of the Greco-Roman cultural world, was not engulfed by the waves of barbaric invasions. In the 5th century, the last representatives of ancient education escaped from Gaul. Thus, specimens of Roman and Greek literature were introduced into Ireland. The learned monks of Irish monasteries, founded in the 5th century by "St. Patrick", knew Greek language, long forgotten in the West. From an Irish monastery sprang in the 6th century a learned monk and missionary Columbus, who, together with his disciples, engaged in the conversion of Christianity to the people of Gaul. Many works of ancient literature have been preserved in whole or in part by the work of Irish monks.