Understanding The Middle Ages

Overview

The Middle Ages span from the 5th to the 15th century.
Often misunderstood and underappreciated.
Divided into two key periods:
- 1000 A.D.: Climate change brought agricultural prosperity.
- 1348 A.D.: End of warming period and the onset of the Black Death.

Flat Earth Belief: Medieval people knew the earth was round.
- Evidence from eclipses and ships' masts disappearing over the horizon.
Cheerless Era: Incorrect notion.
- Full of color, celebrations, and invention of the carnival.
- Revival of popular drama and energetic lifestyle.

Education: Birth of the university.
- International community of scholars.
- Universities in Paris, Bologna, Padua, Oxford, Prague, and Cologne.
- Example: Thomas Aquinas and his mobility within European universities.
Science: Foundation laid for modern science.
- Belief in an ordered world from God and pagan thinkers.
- Copernicus, a medieval priest-astronomer, contributed to heliocentric theory.
- Nicholas of Cusa also suggested earth orbited the sun.
Architecture: Gothic cathedrals as examples of medieval skill.
- Built with simple tools, showcasing beauty and complexity.
Art: New genres and remarkable artistic achievements.
- Literary works: Dante's "Divine Comedy", Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales".
- Visual arts: Giotto's paintings, manuscript illuminations.
Music: Invention of musical notation and harmony.
- Development of Western music traditions.
Social Structure: Local self-government and community organizations.
- Charter towns, guilds, and lay orders.
- Establishment of schools, orphanages, and hospitals.

Presented by Anthony Esolen for Prager University.