In Medieval History — Dark Ages

Despite the negative label, the Early Middle Ages were a dynamic time of transition and foundational change. The Dark Ages | Definition, Causes & History - Lesson

The Italian poet Petrarch is credited with coining the concept in the 1330s. He viewed the post-Roman centuries as "dark" compared to the "light" of classical antiquity, primarily lamenting a perceived lack of high-quality Latin literature. Dark Ages in Medieval History

The "Dark Ages" was not a name used by people living in that era; it was created by later scholars to define it as a period of decline. Despite the negative label, the Early Middle Ages

Historians now argue that the "darkness" refers more to our own lack of written records from the period rather than a lack of actual progress. Key Characteristics of the Period The "Dark Ages" was not a name used