Time Periods?

Question

I was wondering what your would call the period in europe around 1ad to 500ad, like around 1000ad is called medieval era or dark ages.

Answer 1

Current historians of Europe usually refer to the period roughly between 44 BC and roughly the late 3rd/early 4th century AD as "Classical" or "Imperial" Roman age. From ca. 300 AD to ca. 500, they tend to refer to as "Late Antiquity," although there is a great deal of overlap between Late Antiquity and the "Early Medieval Period" (ca. 400-1000) depending on where in Europe they are talking about. 1000-1350 (again, very roughly), they consider the "High" medieval, with 1350-1500, the "Late Medieval."

No historian uses the term "Dark Ages" any more, not because we are being "politically correct," but because it is hopelessly misleading. Contrary to what was once believed, much of Roman culture continued after its military defeat, and there were considerable cultural developments independent of Rome (e.g. the Carolingian renaissance).

That said, the best way to conceive of history isn't to think in terms of "periods," but to see it as one long transformation. This is especially true when we look at different regions of Europe, which changed (and were affected by changes elsewhere) at completely different paces.

Answer 2

1 AD to 500 AD would still be the Roman Empire. Rome was sacked in the late 400's and the western portion of the empire fell into the dark ages but the eastern section went on to be the Byzantium Empire or it's also referred to as "The Age of Faith."

Answer 3

The first five centuries of the Christian era as well as a few centuried "B.C" are generally considered the Classical era because of the dominance of classical Greece and Rome during that time. The middle ages begins after the fall of Rome (western empire), about 476.

Answer 4

Dark ages. That's what it was called for a long time until we got politically correct.

It was a time in which the light of reason, information, and education was suppressed. It was dark because any consideration of anything other than the norm was ruled out or attacked.

EDIT

Oops, maybe I should read better.

Answer 5

1 Ad to 500 AD would still be the late Roman empire.