The Dark Ages & it’s myths (what they taught us wrong)

Were the Dark Ages really dark? And did people really only live til 30?
We hold many Dark Age myths and misconceptions. Read more to find out what the Dark Ages were really about.

The most common Dark Ages myths:

1. Why was the Dark Ages called that way?

The name “Dark Ages” emerged from old ideas about decline, even though the reality was more complex.

The Dark Ages refer to a period in European history after the fall of the Roman Empire, roughly between the 5th and 10th centuries. People called it this way because they believed that culture and learning declined during this time.

They saw few written records and little progress in art or science. Many thought society fell into chaos and lost the bright legacy of Rome. As a result, the era earned a gloomy reputation.

Historians once used the term to highlight a lack of progress and mystery about that time. They assumed that Europe became less civilized and more backward. However, modern scholars now recognize that people still made important contributions during these centuries. They also see that this period laid the groundwork for future growth.

2. Were the Dark Ages really that dark?

The term “Dark Ages” can be misleading. The common myth that many people believe is that the Dark Age was purely dark, with little progress or light. However, recent studies show that the period wasn’t as bleak as once thought. Yes, after the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe faced many challenges. There were wars, invasions, and a loss of central power. Yet, during this time, people were still building, farming, and creating. Life went on, though it was not easy.

The Dark Ages laid the foundation for future progress. Christianity spread across Europe, helping to preserve knowledge. Monasteries became centers of learning and culture. In the 9th and 10th centuries, trade grew, and new technologies like the heavy plow helped farming. By the end of the Dark Ages, Europe was ready for the next phase of growth, which would lead to the Renaissance. So, while the era had its difficulties, it was not without its moments of light.

3. Did people in the Dark Ages think the Earth was flat?

No, most people in the Dark Ages did not believe the Earth was flat. This is another Dark Ages misconception. In fact, educated people already knew the Earth was round long before this period. Ancient Greek thinkers, like Aristotle, had already provided evidence of the Earth’s round shape. By the time of the Dark Ages, the idea of a spherical Earth was widely accepted by scholars.

However, the general public might not have been aware of this knowledge. Many people during the Dark Ages were more focused on daily survival and local matters. But as education improved over time, the understanding of the Earth’s shape became more common. So, while some myths about the flat Earth persisted, educated people already knew the truth.

4. Was life in the Dark Ages all war and chaos?

Life in the Dark Ages was not all about war and chaos, though it’s a common misconception. It’s true that there were many conflicts, such as invasions by Vikings, Magyars, and other groups. These wars made life hard for people in some areas. But not every part of Europe was in constant turmoil. Many communities were focused on farming, trade, and family life.

Over time, Europe began to recover from the chaos. People started rebuilding, and cities began to grow again. Monasteries and churches helped preserve knowledge, and new ideas started to spread. While life had its challenges, it also had moments of peace and progress. So, while war and disorder did exist, they didn’t define the entire period.

5. Did the Catholic Church stop science in the Dark Ages?

The Catholic Church didn’t completely stop science during the Dark Ages, but it did have a strong influence over intellectual life. The Church controlled much of the education and scholarly work in Europe. While the Church supported some areas of learning, it often resisted ideas that didn’t align with its teachings.

For example, new scientific ideas that challenged religious beliefs were sometimes suppressed. Thinkers like Galileo in later centuries faced opposition when their discoveries went against the Church’s views.

However, it’s also important to note that the Church preserved and protected much of ancient knowledge. Monasteries, where monks copied old texts, kept learning alive during the Dark Ages. Many of these texts were about science, medicine, and philosophy. While the Church did slow some scientific progress by controlling what could be taught, it also played a role in saving knowledge for the future.

6. Was the Dark Ages really a time of no progress?

The Dark Ages were not a time of no progress, but they were far from a period of great advancement either. While some areas of Europe struggled with invasions, wars, and the collapse of the Roman Empire, people still made small advancements in certain areas. For example, farming techniques improved, like the development of the heavy plow, which helped produce more food. Similarly, trade slowly began to grow again in some regions.

However, overall, the Dark Ages saw less progress in science, technology, and culture compared to earlier periods like the Roman Empire. The Catholic Church had a powerful role in controlling knowledge, and many new ideas were often suppressed. This made it harder for scientific or intellectual growth to thrive. While not completely stagnant, the era definitely lacked the progress seen in other times.

7. Were there no big achievements during the Dark Ages?

No, the Dark Age myth of not having any big achievements in this Time is not true. There were a few important achievements during the Dark Ages, apart from the famous heavy plow. One major development was the growth of monasticism. Monasteries became centres of learning and preservation of knowledge. Monks copied ancient texts, which helped save important works from Greek and Roman times. These texts later influenced the Renaissance and future scientific developments.

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Another significant achievement was the spread of Christianity across Europe. The Church played a key role in unifying different tribes and kingdoms, which helped bring stability to some regions. Christianity also helped to preserve some knowledge and provided a sense of order during difficult times.

In addition, the construction of impressive cathedrals and churches, such as those in Rome and later in France, showed skill in architecture. These achievements, while not as dramatic as those in other periods, laid the foundation for future progress.

8. Did people in the Dark Ages only live to 30?

While it is often said that people in the Dark Ages only lived to around 30, that number can be misleading. The average life expectancy at birth was much lower due to high infant mortality rates. Many children didn’t survive past the age of 5, which pulled the average down. However, if a person made it past childhood, they could live much longer, often into their 50s or even 60s.

The conditions of life during this time, such as poor nutrition, disease, and limited medical knowledge, did shorten many people’s lives. However, not everyone lived a short life. Wealthier people, especially those who had access to better food and care, could live longer. So, while the average life expectancy was low, it didn’t mean everyone only lived to 30.

9. Did everyone live in small, isolated villages during the Dark Ages?

No, not everyone lived in small, isolated villages during the Dark Ages. Though most people lived in villages and worked in farming, not all were isolated. With the spread of Christianity and the development of trade routes, some regions became less isolated over time.

While many people did live in rural areas and small villages, especially in the early part of the period, there were also some larger towns and cities. In these towns, people could find more trade, work, and markets.

These areas were more connected to each other, even though travel was slow and difficult. Some cities, like Rome and Constantinople, remained important centers of power and culture. As time went on, certain regions began to see growth in towns and trade. The rise of monasteries also created small communities that were connected to the larger world of learning and religion. 

10. Was feudalism the only system of government in the Dark Ages?

Feudalism was the most common system of government in Europe during the Dark Ages, but it wasn’t the only one. Feudalism was based on a system of land ownership and loyalty. Kings gave land to nobles, who then provided protection and land to peasants. This created a hierarchical society with clear roles.

However, there were other forms of government in different regions. For example, the Byzantine Empire had a strong central government, with emperors holding power over large areas.

In some areas, like Scandinavia, there were different systems of leadership, such as tribal kingships, where local leaders held power. The Catholic Church also had a large influence, acting as a kind of government in some parts of Europe, especially in terms of laws and education. So, while feudalism was widespread, it wasn’t the only system of governance during the Dark Ages.

11. Did people in the Dark Ages never bathe?

Another common misconception is that people think people from the Dark Ages did not bathe. This is not entirely true. People in the Dark Ages did bathe, but not as often or in the same way we do today. In some areas, public bathhouses were common, especially in cities influenced by Roman traditions.

These bathhouses were used for socializing and cleaning, and many people visited them regularly. However, in rural areas, people relied more on washing themselves at home, often using rivers, wells, or small bathing basins.

That being said, hygiene practices in the Dark Ages were very different from modern standards. During the later part of the period, the idea of bathing started to decline in some parts of Europe, partly due to concerns over public health and disease. The Church also had a mixed view on bathing, with some leaders linking it to sinful behaviour.

🎧 Related Podcasts:

Were there Dark Ages? – Astral Codex Ten Podcats

The Myth of the Dark Ages ft. Alaric the Barbarian 7/19723 – Quite Frankly

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1. 

   This was a delight to read. You show an impressive grasp on this subject! I specialize about Appliances and you…

2. 

   i think he was just a crazy guy, a victim of his childhood and enviroment

3. 

   super interesting 🤔

4. 

   Loved this article, learned a lot!