Why is the earlier part of the European Middle Ages often referred to as the Dark Ages?

Dark Ages is a term of historical periodization traditionally meaning the Middle Ages. It emphasizes the demographic, cultural and economic deterioration that supposedly occurred in Western Europe following the decline of the Roman Empire. The label employs traditional light-versus-darkness imagery to contrast the "darkness" of the period with earlier and later periods of "light". The period is characterized by a relative scarcity of historical and other written records at least for some areas of Europe, rendering it obscure to historians.

The term once characterized the majority of the Middle Ages, or roughly the 6th to 14th centuries, as a period of intellectual darkness between extinguishing the "light of Rome" after the end of Late Antiquity, and the rise of the Italian Renaissance in the 14th century. This definition is still sometimes found in popular use, but increased recognition of the accomplishments during the Middle Ages has led to the label being restricted in application. Since the 20th century, it is frequently applied to the earlier part of the era, the Early Middle Ages (c. 5th–10th century). However, many modern scholars who study the era tend to avoid the term altogether because of its negative connotations, finding it misleading and inaccurate for any part of the Middle Ages.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

Test your knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

41 Comments

Kenneth Stevens

Sorry but I've read quite a bit of history on this period and the term stagnation whether it be international trade or development/exchange of ideas most definitely seems to apply. The fact that some historians don't like the term because of negative connotations doesn't mean it's not accurate.

sftcw

Stagnation brought by overwhelming ignorance could be a better answer.

Dwight Robertson

This answer can easily be disputed

Leda Beck

Scarcity of written records?!? Since when? There is plenty of written records from that period! The "darkness" of the epithet conceived from the Renaissance on, but particularly during the 18th century, comes from a certain stagnation, yes, no doubt. Wrong answer! (I also have to say something about an absurd comment below that atributes to the Moorish invasions a supposed "absence of written records." Total nonsense. It's actually quite the opposite: it was the presence of Muslims mainly in Iberia (today's Portugal and Spain) for 900 years that contributed a critical mass of knowledge and intelligence, including the renewal of European contact to ancient Greek and Roman cultures, Mathematics, Logic etc. If it weren't for the Arabs, Europe would still be in the "dark ages"!)

Nicholas Miernicki

Those disagreeing with the answer should do a bit more research on the origin of the term "Dark Ages', in particular the individual who coined the term, Petrarch.

Rafi Manory

First answer is correct. The dark refers to the obscurity of the people not to the lack of records

Fred Keogh

Kenneth Stevens, I think you are right, but only just. The shortage of written evidence swayed me only because I'd heard that answer before. The fact that there IS written evidence, although in Historic terms, not much, was a reason good enough to sway me.

Alireza Mohtashami

Yeah if you don't read it brings ignorance . Bad question

Rob Farr

An interesting trivia question and explanation, even if it is a little controversial ... well done.

dejayel

Just plain wrong. Who ever submitted this question just doesn't understand the era. There no fewer or no more writer between 500 AD and 1500 AD than there in the Roman Empire.

Janice Lea Vanlandingham

The answers were obscure, Even the players who have an average intelligence. Would have to haul out the Webster Dictionary

Rick Mockler

I think the term stagnation equally applies.

Cherie Hunt

All of the answers, in one way or another, pertain to what was referred to as the Dark Ages. The Little Ice Age contributed to what seemed to be the least likely answer, which was the first one: Adverse weather conditions... Other commenters have posted responses that do not need to be reiterated here, but are also correct in their assumptions.

Diana Newman

sftcw, that was my answer too.

Marianne Hays

I thought it was because of the Black Plague. ( or partly so)

osborntd

Starting with the Fall of the Roman empire, Arabic Forces Expanded destroying records, art, any symbolisms of past cultures, Thus began the dark ages.so YES , THE CORRECT ANSWER IS OBSCURITY DUE TO A SCARCITY OF WRITTEN RECORDS. Some Mosques Do have written records according to events but ARE RARELY SHARED with the outside world.