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 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
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. Historians now argue that the "darkness" refers more
Despite the negative label, the Early Middle Ages were a dynamic time of transition and foundational change. The Dark Ages | Definition, Causes & History - Lesson Despite the negative label, the Early Middle Ages
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.