Dark Ages: An Appropriate Term For The Middle Ages

Many people believe the world is a disaster right now. However, one of the worst times in history was the Middle Ages: learning was lost, most were struggling to survive, and law was almost obsolete. A common name for the period between 400CE and 1400CE is the “Dark Ages”. Historians sometimes disagree on whether that term is acceptable for the times. Originally, Dark Ages meant that historians know next to nothing about the Early Middle Ages, but has grown to encompass the entirety of the Middle Ages used to describe the lack of learning and growth. The term “Dark Ages” is not an appropriate term for the Middle Ages because of the art, the literature, and the abundance of trade. First, the term “Dark Ages” is an inappropriate term for the Middle Ages because of the

Although learning and the arts were not top priority for the starving peasants, some people started to create art, usually being very simplistic. In the painting of Joan of Arc painted around 1450, Joan is represented as a hero. Through her strong gaze and her armor, Joan of Arc would be recognized as a hero by anyone, no matter if they knew anything about her at all. Continually, the painter used aspects from Greek and Roman art such as giving the hands of Joan shape and form. Secondly, the term “Dark Ages” should not be used to describe the Middle Ages because of the literature. In medieval Japan, a book named Kokin Wakashū was published between the years of 897CE-930CE. It was a collection of about 1,000 poems that were popular from poets throughout the country. If the term “Dark Ages” was true, then there couldn’t be a book published because learning was considered obsolete. Furthermore, a page of the book was pictured and the writing was careful and beautiful, and the pages had a background with intricate designs that