Page 92 - Grasp English C1 (Student Book)

7 Hıstory

Historians call the time between the fall of the Roman Empire and the start of the Renaissance
period the Middle Ages, or the Dark Ages. It is something of a misnomer, implying that the era
was unimportant and lacking in significant accomplishments. In the Renaissance period (14
th
century), European thinkers began to resurrect the art and culture of ancient Greece and
Rome, and for some time it was thought that the people of the intervening period were simple
barbarians who had foolishly dismissed all the advances made by their predecessors.

The most significant feature of the era was the power of religion. In Europe, the Catholic Church
became very powerful. As a result, it amassed huge wealth. The Islamic world grew equally
powerful. After the death of Muhammed, Muslim armies conquered and united much of
the Middle East, making the Muslim world three times larger than all the Christian kingdoms
together.

Middle Eastern cities grew and prospered as centres of trade and learning. New technologies
were developed including the windmill, soap and surgical instruments, and even an early flying
machine. Poetry was written, and the Qu’ran was transcribed, translated and distributed far
and wide.
Towards the end of the 11 century, the Catholic Church started to authorize military expeditions,
th
known as crusades, to the Islamic lands. The crusades continued for several centuries, with
no side winning, and many people dying. Although intolerant and unacceptable by today’s
standards, the crusades did unite people over vast distances with a common purpose
and helped to spread literature, science, technology and ideas from the Middle East and
beyond.

Another way to show devotion to the church was the construction of grand religious buildings,
such as cathedrals, monasteries and churches, the design and construction of which were a
massive and impressive feat. From the early Romanesque churches with rounded arches and
few windows, new architectural understanding led to the construction of formidable Gothic
cathedrals and monasteries.
Thus, far from being a time of barbarianism, the Middle Ages left its mark on culture, science,
trade routes, literature and the great cities that we inhabit today.

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