medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Bonjour, eh?
Stephanie asked:
> Does anyone know when the term "Dark Ages" for the Middle Ages was first
> used?
Others on the list more learned than I will no doubt
more correctly or more precisely answer your question,
but I shall make a couple suggestions.
It is my understanding that the term 'Dark Ages' was
first used in early modern times. It was used to
refer to the preiod roughly from the first sack of
Rome by the barbarians to the rise of the universities
in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. It was a
perjorative term in that those who first used it
wished to suggest that no useful knowledge had been
developed in the period so designated. In fact, some
scholars went so far as to suggest, I've been led to
believe, the period be extended to their own flourishing.
You may find it useful to ask this question on the
FICINO list. This is a mail list dedicated to early modern
and reformation history. I'd cheerfully do it for you, but
I'm in the process of switching e-mail addresses and learning
a new e-mail system. Thus, I am even more confused
than is my norm.
All the best,
frank
**********************************************************************
To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME
to: [log in to unmask]
To send a message to the list, address it to:
[log in to unmask]
To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion
to: [log in to unmask]
In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to:
[log in to unmask]
For further information, visit our web site:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html
|