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| In ]'s ] ], the term "'''dark ages'''" refers to periods of comparatively little ]] emission, during the early formation of the ]. This would have occurred after ] and before the first burst of ]. Although there was little starlight during this period, there was a substantial degree of ] |
In ]'s ] ], the term "'''dark ages'''" refers to periods of comparatively little ]] emission, during the early formation of the ]. This would have occurred after ] and before the first burst of ]. Although there was little starlight during this period, there was a substantial degree of ] as ] in ]. | ||
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| ⚫ | The negative connotations of the expression ''Dark Ages'' have made it unpopular among recent historians of this period. The term '']'' is often preferred. The continuities between Dark Age society and late imperial Rome have been stressed by some ]s, who wish to emphasise that medieval culture was already developing in the empire, and indeed continued to do so in the unconquered eastern (]) portion of the empire. However, many of the tribes who took over imperial land were initially iugiubvgiugliusouthern and eastern ]. | ||
| ''"Triumph of Christianity" by ] (]-]), ceiling painting in the ], ] Palace. Images like this one symbolize the destruction of ancient ] culture and the "victory" of Christianity.'' | |||
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| The ''''Dark Ages'''' is an expression that came into use during ] to refer to the period in ] after the fall of the Western ], when so-called ']'—generally non-literate—tribes took over the land formerly under Roman Imperial control. It was a period of widespread population movement, particularly, though not only, among ] peoples (the '']''). The relative paucity of written history during this period, combined with political and social instability, meant that relatively little was known about it. Though archaeological finds have changed this situation to some extent, much is still unknown about this period. The decline of literate culture, the arts and sciences, and organized education, compared to what flourished during the Roman Empire, and the fact that Christianity, perceived by many Enlightenment intellectuals as a primitive, irrational belief system became the prevailing culture and institutional form during the period, led to the categorization "Dark Ages." | |||
| There are no clear starting or ending points for the Dark Ages, though the half-millennium period from the ] sack of ] (]) to the year ] is commonly used, although European politics were substantially stabilized with the crowning of ] as ] in ]. | |||
| ⚫ | The negative connotations of the expression ''Dark Ages'' have made it unpopular among recent historians of this period. The term '']'' is often preferred. The continuities between Dark Age society and late imperial Rome have been stressed by some ]s, who wish to emphasise that medieval culture was already developing in the empire, and indeed continued to do so in the unconquered eastern (]) portion of the empire. However, many of the tribes who took over imperial land were initially |
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| The image of constant barbarian warfare amid the ruins of the Roman empire continues to depict popular conceptions of the Dark Ages, influencing the creation of characters such as ]. The literature of ] also emerges from this confused period, as civilised urban and Christian Roman cultures attempted to defend themselves against expanding pagan tribes. The struggle between Christian and magical-pagan belief systems in the Arthurian romances epitomises this. | The image of constant barbarian warfare amid the ruins of the Roman empire continues to depict popular conceptions of the Dark Ages, influencing the creation of characters such as ]. The literature of ] also emerges from this confused period, as civilised urban and Christian Roman cultures attempted to defend themselves against expanding pagan tribes. The struggle between Christian and magical-pagan belief systems in the Arthurian romances epitomises this. | ||
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Revision as of 17:46, 28 August 2003
In cosmology's Big Bang theory, the term "dark ages" refers to periods of comparatively little starlight emission, during the early formation of the universe. This would have occurred after decoupling and before the first burst of star formation. Although there was little starlight during this period, there was a substantial degree of [[of Charlemange as Holy Roman Emperor in 800CE.
The negative connotations of the expression Dark Ages have made it unpopular among recent historians of this period. The term Early Medieval is often preferred. The continuities between Dark Age society and late imperial Rome have been stressed by some writers, who wish to emphasise that medieval culture was already developing in the empire, and indeed continued to do so in the unconquered eastern (Byzantine) portion of the empire. However, many of the tribes who took over imperial land were initially iugiubvgiugliusouthern and eastern Mediterranean.
The image of constant barbarian warfare amid the ruins of the Roman empire continues to depict popular conceptions of the Dark Ages, influencing the creation of characters such as Conan the Barbarian. The literature of King Arthur also emerges from this confused period, as civilised urban and Christian Roman cultures attempted to defend themselves against expanding pagan tribes. The struggle between Christian and magical-pagan belief systems in the Arthurian romances epitomises this.