The Dark Ages: Definition, History & Timeline - Video & Lesson ...

The Dark Ages: Definition, History & Timeline
Nate Sullivan holds a M.A. in History and a M.Ed. He is an adjunct history professor, middle school history teacher, and freelance writer.
Traditionally, the Dark Ages was thought to be a time when little cultural development and scientific discovery happened. Learn more about the Dark Ages, and explore the controversy that surrounds the historical timeline of the era.
Updated: 03/18/2023
The Dark Ages is a term for the period of time between the fall of the Roman Empire and the beginning of the Italian Renaissance and the Age of Discovery. Many textbooks list the Dark Ages as extending from 500-1500 AD, although it should be noted these are approximations.
The ancient Greek and Roman civilizations were remarkably advanced for their time. Both civilizations made a number of contributions to human progress, notably in the areas of science, government, philosophy, and architecture. Some scholars perceive Europe as having been plunged into darkness when the Roman Empire fell in around 500 AD. The Middle Ages are often said to be dark because of a supposed lack of scientific and cultural advancement.
During this time, feudalism was the dominant political system. The feudal system of labor hindered upward social mobility, which basically means that poor people had very little opportunity to improve their condition in life. Religious superstition was also widespread during this time. The Catholic Church was extremely institutionalized and often opposed the scientific and cultural advancements the Greeks and Romans had pioneered.
Increasingly, historians are refraining from using the term 'Dark Ages.' Many historians now regard the darkness of the Dark Ages as a common misconception. Recent scholarship has brought to light the scientific and cultural contributions of the Arab world. Historians also recognize the intellectual strength of the medieval scholastics.
The Dark Ages is a categorization commonly used to describe the period between the fall of the Roman Empire and the beginning of the Italian Renaissance and the Age of Exploration. Roughly speaking, the Dark Ages corresponds to the Middle Ages, or from 500 to 1500 AD. This period has traditionally been thought of as dark, in the sense of having very little scientific and cultural advancement.
During this time, feudalism prevented upward social mobility, and the Catholic Church held a firm grip over which worldviews should or should not be espoused. Superstition was widespread. That said, historians are increasingly rethinking the Dark Ages. Many no longer use the term because new scholarship is showing that this era may not have been as dark as had previously been thought.