The Dark Ages Explained - Part 1

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The Dark Ages was an interesting period of about six centuries that is largely lost to recorded history. Following the fall of Rome in 476 CE, the entire dynamic of Europe underwent a complete shift in power and culture.

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[TakedownO]

it's incredibly scary to see how similar the fall of rome is to the current state of western democracies in 2022.

[oooooooooooo]

It's about time someone started to talk about our current times!!! Thanks for taking the time effort and bravery to do so!

[tonystarrfitness]

I just returned from a trip to Rome. The history is fascinating. This is great stuff you have made

[vivitran]

Such fascinating audio. So easy to follow. Thank you

[corielake]

Slight correction: the leader of the caliph in Islam was to be elected according to Sunni Muslims. Shi'a muslims believe it should come from prophet Muhammad's family.
So the early leaders ( from 632-661) were indeed appointed based on their skills and leadership; not just their relationship to Muhammad.

[phenmejon]

Rome fell in 476, which would be the 5th century, not the 4th

[mumblesbadly]

The main reason Charlemagne’s empire didn’t survive for long after his death was because Frankish custom at that time called for the land of a deceased Frankish head of household to be equally shared among all surviving sons. Charlemagme had three surviving sons, resulting in his empire being broken up into three roughly equal-sized kingdoms.

[chiefvercingetorix]

Nice to see so many ppl viewing this video and learning about history.

[RH-xmuk]

4:36 The fall of Rome didn't strengthen Christianity as the video says. On the contrary. The Romans had abandoned their traditional gods for Christianity. The fall of Rome was commonly seen in the era as the revenge of the traditional gods over the Christian god.

[bretjernigan]

I like the video but I believe 476 is actually the 5th century, many people make this mistake but if you think about it it makes sense. from 0 - 100 C.E. is the 1st century, 100 -200 is second, 200 - 300 is the 3rd, 300-400 is the 4th, and finally 400- 500 is the 5th, just a small mistake there, hope this helps and thanks for videos like this

[Toothlessfatguyplaysguitar]

I love this kinda stuff, I do t know why, but my brain has always just craved knowledge like this!!!!

[Outspoken.Humanist]

The idea that the sack of Rome by Christian Germanic tribes showed Christianity to be stronger than paganism is very questionable. Paganism had already been outlawed in Rome by this time and pagans persecuted. Also, the Germanic tribes followed a different form of Christianity that was denounced by the Roman church.

[Itsthatjake]

It’s crazy to think, in the future we will be just casually mentioned in a brain video (probably) as an empire that ruled a place for 250 years only to talk about what more significant nation came after us.

[macden]

The Red Dead Redemption Font made me click, not at all disappointed.

[dirksharp]

I think the Goths are unfairly associated with the fall of Rome. They were just a particular tribe that early on proved adaptive more warlike than other barbarian tribes. This was not the case in Iberia as they had become totally civilized after a point and lost their customs, which wouldn't reemerge until the Reconquest. The Goths early had developed their own written language based on Greek and their runes and had developed their own branch of Christianity. When they sacked Rome, they were Christian and were not abusive towards the Roman peoples. Look at the story of Alaric and it's difficult not to take his side in the matter. And when they conquered Rome (from primarily other Germanic tribes) they encouraged Roman values and culture among Romans and invested great time and resources to see its continuation. More so it was other Germanic tribes like the Franks and Lombards who capitulated to the Church at every turn, especially by the time you get to Charlemagne, these were the illiterate barbarians who caused the dark ages. Not the Goths.

[agee]

Late Rome sounds a lot like the USA right now. Petty infighting, Greed, mistrust, all of it perfectly echoed. I'd say US has less than 100 years also

[thelostone]

So glad this video briefly explained why it’s called the “dark ages”. So many people misunderstand this.

[twest]

I believe that the Dark Ages is a perfect name for this time. First of all, it is a reference to the lack of direct written evidence from that time, which remains a fact. Also, there was a major decline in literacy, mathematics, engineering (except, perhaps, in metallurgy), urban planning (as in: there wasn't any). After reading dozens of books and listening to numerous lectures, I am MORE convinced that the Dark Ages should be called "The Dark Ages".

[andrewstewart]

The "Dark Ages" term is not a misnomer. It started off with at least a year of ash blocking out the sun (probably from Krakatoa), followed by a decade of relative worldwide darkness and coldness due to volcanic eruptions and climate change. For the next 500 years, this would be later known as the Little Ice Age, while hundreds of millions were ravaged by plague, malnutrition and starvation as better nourished invaders repeatedly looted them for their last remaining sustenance. Many believed this really was the first glimpse of the apocalypse, hence the scientific backtracking of society... and were they wrong? Hardly. If you think that sucks, just wait until Yellowstone blows :D

[andrewmagdaleno]

Great video. I liked the writing, voice over and speed. I'll sub and sit through your sponsorship sections in the future. Thanks.