Scholars like Edward Gibbon popularized the term to critique the influence of the Catholic Church, which they saw as a source of superstition that stifled reason.
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. Dark Ages in Medieval History
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. Scholars like Edward Gibbon popularized the term to
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 He viewed the post-Roman centuries as "dark" compared
Despite the negative label, the Early Middle Ages were a dynamic time of transition and foundational change. The Dark Ages | Definition, Causes & History - Lesson
