The Middle Ages began in AD 476 or earlier, and lasted until 1485 AD. The term “Dark Ages” was coined by Petrarch to describe the lack of cultural achievements and historical records of the period. The period was marked by religious strife and the migration of Goth and Vandal invaders. Christianity served to unite Western Europe, despite conflicts within the religion. The Middle Ages were followed by the High and Low Middle Ages, during which society and the nobility strengthened and the feudal system emerged.
The Middle Ages is a period generally thought to have begun in AD 476 when Romulus Augustulus, the last Western emperor, was deposed and the Western Roman Empire fell. This is a matter of debate, however, as some scholars believe the period began when Alaric sacked Rome in 410 and others argue that the period began as late as AD 500. The term once referred to the Middle Ages as a whole, which it lasted until 1485 AD, when the Renaissance period began. 19th-century scholars limited the term to the Early Middle Ages, ending around AD 19. Today, the phrase “Dark Ages” is rarely used by scholars because of its negative connotations.
The Italian scholar and poet Petrarch first coined the term “Dark Ages” in reference to the lack of cultural achievements of the period. To others, this phrase seemed an apt description of a tumultuous period in history marked by religious strife between Catholics and other Christians as well as Muslim conquests throughout the fallen empire. Scholars of the time found “dark” to be an apt description of the era because it was deeply shrouded in mystery due to a lack of historical records, literature, art, and music of the period.
This period of time is sandwiched between two highest moments in history. The classical cultures of Greece and Rome preceded it, while the cultural renaissance of the fourteenth century would follow. In contrast to the cultural achievements of these periods, the High Middle Ages can indeed seem dark.
The Dark Ages mainly refer to Western Europe. Here, the European population was declining while the migration of Goth and Vandal invaders was increasing. This multitude of cultures struggled with each other throughout the period until they finally emerged as a more singular European culture. The economy of the period was focused on small self-sufficient localities. As the Middle Ages progressed to the Early Middle Ages, trade between the cities grew.
Despite the conflicts within the Christian religion, Christianity as a whole served to unite the peoples of Western Europe during the Dark Ages. The Catholic Church likely saw this as a time of great strength and prosperity for their faith, as the papacy established its authority over the church. Meanwhile, Christians were outraged at the growing corruption they saw in the Catholic faith. Regardless, Christianity as a whole gained great strength during this period.
The Middle Ages were followed by the High Middle Ages, from 1000 to 1300 AD, and the Low Middle Ages, from 1300 to 1400 AD Throughout the rest of the Middle Ages, society and the nobility strengthened and the feudal system emerged. The church also continued to grow.
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