Were the Dark Ages Really that Dark? (Essay Sample)

Were the Dark Ages Really that Dark?
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Were the Dark Ages Really that Dark?
The term "Dark Ages" refers to the period from the 5th to the 14th centuries, roughly corresponding to the fall of the Roman Empire and the beginning of the Renaissance era. It was first used by an Italian scholar called Petrarch to describe his perceived deterioration of Latin literature after the Greek and Roman periods. Although Petrarch coined the phrase in reference to literature, he unwittingly laid the ground for alternate interpretations, particularly the absence of substantial scientific and cultural advancements. Many historians, however, have deemed the term incorrect since it cannot hold up to scrutiny. Indeed, advances in mathematics and science, the rise of the church, and changes in agriculture show that the Dark Ages were not genuinely dark.
The Dark Ages witnessed great scientific achievements in the Islamic world. During this period, the Islamic civilization achieved enormous advances in mathematics, specifically algebra. The translation of ancient Greek manuscripts into Arabic contributed to this advancement. Additionally, the Latin translation of "The Complete Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing" brought algebra to Europe, offering the first systematic solution of quadratic and linear equations (Burns, 2017). The algorithms and algebra, which were taught throughout the Early Middle Ages, made major contributions to the