The Dark Ages | Definition, Causes & History - Video & Lesson ...

The Dark Ages: Causes & History
Rachel Becker is a freelance writer in the Pacific NW of the USA. She has a background of twelve years as an elementary educator working in public schools. She earned both her Bachelor of Arts and Letters and Masters in Education degrees at Portland State University. She holds a teaching certificate for the state of Oregon and is endorsed for multiple subjects Grades K-8. Twelve years of teaching grades K-5 in Title 1 schools provided her with ample experience in meeting diverse student needs and building community for connection with all students.
Table of Contents
War marked the period of the Dark Ages with hand to hand combat in the Crusades.
The Dark Ages
The fall of the Roman Empire ushered in a time of great change throughout Europe, and with it, what is referred to by some as the Dark Ages, a five-hundred-year time period from roughly 500 CE to 1000 CE. Most academics do not refer to this time as darker, as it is difficult for historians to fully explain the span of time between the rise and fall of empires that ruled Europe. Prior to the beginning of the Dark Ages, Romans ruled European lands. Their contributions to European development were most notable in the areas of science, philosophy, government, and architecture. The fall of Rome and the ensuing disbursement of people throughout Western Europe negatively impacted the process of keeping historical documentation, making it difficult for historians to maintain accurate assessments of the period.
The term, the Middle Ages, refers to a period of time that also began after the fall of the Roman Empire and includes the time period associated with the Dark Ages. In 180 CE, Emperor Marcus Aurelius died, initiating the long process of the Roman Empire collapsing over the next four hundred years. The Middle Ages began in approximately 500 CE and ended in 1500 CE. So, the first five hundred years of the Middle Ages are characterized by the Dark Ages.
Europe had already experienced similar circumstances with the Greek Dark Ages, which began in 1100 BCE, with the end of the Mycenaean era, and ended around 700 BCE. For reference, the Mycenaean were the first Greeks who formulated the Greek language, which evolved into a common language and a system for writing. Greek civilization created many things still referenced today, including Greek mythology, legend, and story-telling shared through oratory.
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When Were the Dark Ages?
The Dark Ages in Europe transpired from 500-1000 CE, beginning with the end of the Roman Empire. Many consider this time period dark due to a lack of cultural advancement in society. This was an assumption made due to the minimal historical documentation produced during the time period.
The Middle Ages
The Middle Ages time period includes the time period associated with the Dark Ages, plus an additional five hundred years. The Middle Ages began in 500 CE and ended around 1500 CE with the start of the 14th century Renaissance period. This time period saw the rise of the medieval church, which gained more power as monarchies emerged as powerful forces across Europe.
Why Is It Called the Dark Ages?
The term, Dark Ages, refers to the idea that Europe was enveloped in darkness due to a lack of cultural advancement. Many held this belief because there was little evidence to prove otherwise in the Western European world. After the Western European Roman Empire rule, feudalism emerged, and the Catholic Church gained power. People were also quite fearful and superstitious about all of life and authority. Advancement of culture, science, and mathematics seemingly halted with the change of power. The Renaissance period, which followed the Middle Ages, tells us more about the Dark Ages than the actual time period itself. Renaissance thinkers revived interest in Greek and Roman philosophy, considering them to be greater thinkers than the European thinker of the Dark Ages.
Petrarch and the Renaissance
Who coined the phrase, Dark Ages? A scholar and poet named Petrarch, who lived from 1304-1374 CE is known for creating this term. He referred to the time period as '' those men of intellectual prowess as living cloaked in darkness. '' In contrast to the dark ages, the Renaissance was a time period historians refer to as returning to humanity and valuing advancement.
The Dark Ages in Europe: History
Throughout the Dark Ages in Europe, the fall of the Roman Empire greatly impacted the migration of humans across Western Europe. This time period was once thought to be a time lacking in cultural, scientific, and economic growth, but it was an impactful time for Europe itself. After the Roman Empire transformed into one of Germanic traditions, kingdoms and monarchs rose to prominence. Political policy, rulers, and religion became the driving forces of European culture. Christianity, more specifically, Catholicism ruled the system of churches. This time period produced splendid Gothic art and architecture and also witnessed the Crusades.
Gilded art work remains as tangible evidence of the dark ages.
What Caused the Dark Ages?
The cause of the Dark Ages is associated with a series of events related to the downfall of the Roman Empire. In 395 CE after the death of Emperor Theodosius, the Roman Empire was divided in half. In 410 CE, the Visigoths entered Rome and destroyed much of the city, to the extent that it was never the same. This continued through 455 CE. In 476 CE Odoacer, a German ruler, removed Emperor Romulus Augustulus and made himself the king of Italy. This moment in history is cited as the demise of the Western Roman Empire. In 481 CE, Clovis took the throne in France and in 496 CE converted to Christianity. This led to forming a relationship with the Pope. A church and state bond began and continued throughout the entirety of the Dark Ages.
Notable Events
There were many events that transpired during this period, but two are quite notable. The Black Death or Plague began in 1347 CE, after trade ships arrived in the port of Messina, Italy. The ships arrived from the Black Sea, bringing with them disease that would kill millions of European citizens. The ships docked at the Sicilian port of Messina and citizens of the port were shocked to find mostly dead and deathly ill sailors on board the ships. This plague ravaged Europe causing the death of over twenty million people.
The fall of the Eastern Roman Empire, or Byzantium is another important event from the Dark Ages. The Byzantium Empire lasted from approximately 330 CE to 1453 CE in Eastern Europe. Many ideas from the Byzantium Empire continue to impact modern thought. The Byzantium Empire ended when the Ottomans entered Constantinople, the land wall fell, and a fifty-five-day blockade transpired, crumbling the empire.
The End of the Dark Ages
Historians believe that the Dark Ages ended when Constantinople, which was the capital city of the Byzantine Empire, fell to the Ottoman Empire. The city had been under attack for two months before it fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1453 CE. After the shift of power ruling Western Europe, peasant life began to change as well. Feudalism had ruled the working class and it began to shift with the rise of crop development and the introduction of the heavy plow. With the increase of food supply, the population in Western Europe began to expand. People moved to port cities and out of rural lands. A slow rise in development led to more culture change in the population of Western Europe.
Problems with the Concept
The term, Dark Ages, is often seen as problematic by contemporary historians for a few reasons. The term itself leads people to believe that there was no development of society throughout Western Europe during this time. This is incorrect. Scant historical documentation and other forms of written evidence left scholars with very little resource material to study. There were developments in the Byzantine Empire, as well as in Asia and the Middle East during the Dark Ages. Looking at both Western and European culture, scholars can find evidence of the cultural development that occurred there during this time as well.
Anachronism
The phrase, Dark Ages, is anachronistic in some ways. An examination of the time period reveals that there was cultural development in various places. The Carolingian Renaissance, which was around 800 CE is one example. Charlemagne ruled the Carolingian Empire and united much of Europe. He saved literature and other works of cultural advancement from ruin. Many ancient texts were copied, archived, and kept by scholars during his rule.
Eurocentrism
Eurocentrism is the idea of centering a topic around European history and culture. The ideology behind what had been found by scholars of the Dark Ages had primarily focused on Eurocentrism. The concept of the Dark Ages is firmly rooted in Western European history. There were many cultural advancements in society that occurred outside of Western Europe during the Dark Ages. When a scholar has limited the view with a focus on Western Europe, they have committed Eurocentrism.
Lesson Summary
The Dark Ages in Europe occurred between 500 CE and 1000 CE or 500 to 1500 AD. The term, Dark Ages was coined by the scholar, Petrarch, during the Renaissance. This time period began after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. The Dark Ages were called that name due to a supposed period of decline in culture and science. There was little written documentation from the period to prove otherwise. The Dark Ages were characterized by feudalism, the introduction of the plow to farming, and the Black Death plague. The time period enveloped Western Europeans in superstition and fear. The Catholic Church became a pivotal force that affected the lives of all who dwelled on the lands. The term the Dark Ages was controversial among scholars because it did not take into account the advancements made outside of Europe, for example, in the Arab world. The fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire, in 1453 CE, marks the end of the dark ages.
The Middle Ages time period took place from 500 CE to 1500 CE in Europe. This was a time in history that fell between the end of the Roman Empire and the modern format of European lands. It was also a time period filled with famine, plague or the Black Death, and war, such as the Crusades. The Middle Ages ended with the start of the 14th century and the Renaissance time period.
What happened during the Dark Ages?
The dark ages occurred from 500 CE to 1000 CE in Western Europe. It began with the fall of the Roman Empire and ended with the start of the Renaissance.
Why is it called the Middle Ages?
It is called the Middle Ages because it was the time period that fell between the end of the Roman Empire and what is considered the modern form of Europe. The dates are 500 CE to 1500 CE
What are the characteristics of the Middle Ages?
Characteristics of the Middle Ages include the expression of feudalism and the strengthening of the church and state relationship, with Catholicism spreading throughout Europe. The MIddle Ages also witness the Crusades, as well as the Black Death Plague, which killed millions of people.
Why is the Dark Ages important?
The Dark Ages were important because they gave rise to the Renaissance period and its focus on cultural advancement for humanity. During the Dark Ages, humans faced famine, disease, war, and the demise of government.