12/5/15
World History 4-6
How Dark Were The Dark Ages?
The Dark Ages – is a term that brings images of war, destruction and death to our minds. The “Dark Ages” are considered to be the early part of the Middle Ages. It is known to have begun around 500 A.D and continued till 1500 A.D. Historians claim that the Early Middle Ages were dark, by citing the collapse of central control of the Roman Empire in the West. While the Roman Empire did fall in the West leading to a serious reduction of material and intellectual culture, the Empire had to fall for modern Europe to rise. Much advancement occurred during this time and Europe went through many changes for its improvement. While the Middle Ages are known as the “Dark Ages”, the “Dark Ages” were not really dark as it was during this time that economy in Europe developed and prospered, laws were established, and universities were created.
During the Dark Ages the economy of Europe prospered, land tripled, and food supply expanded. Europeans re-settled grounds that had been abandoned by the ninth and tenth century intrusions. It also opened up incipient grounds for agriculture. Other than this Europe experienced numerous innovative advances in this time. The utilization of the horse collar and horseshoes made …show more content…
But then they took off at a far faster rate than the Romans had managed for centuries. Many advances occurred during the Dark Ages. Agricultural and Technological advances were made. The European Economy developed. Laws were established which controlled and had order in Europe. In addition universities were made, some of which are still universities today and the importance of education also increased. Thus one can see that the “Dark Ages” weren’t really that dark. For students of history today, the term is now officially known as the Early Middle Ages – a name which has no negative connotation at