The Not So Dark Ages Summary

Greece and Roman civilizations process of improving the borrowed technology often led to accomplishing advances that prior civilizations failed to achieve. As the chapter closes, the success of the new European society would profit from the borrowed ideas that Romans converted to match their needs would prove beneficial for the upcoming Europe society that would continue to inherit other technologies much like the Romans did.
In continuation, the third chapter is titled “The Not so Dark Ages” which is span of time from 500 A.D. till 900. This portion of the book consists of the authors proving that the Dark Ages was not as dark as it has been previously classified. The Gieses state that the Romans significantly influenced future cultures and peoples with their exquisite political, military, and construction styles. However, one problem many historians have faced was the proper understanding of what cause the fall of Rome or more profoundly, what
“was” the fall of Rome. Some authors considered the collapse of this once magnificent civilization a political expenditure, whatever the case may be; the disembodiment of the Roman society had little impact on the technology. Ensuing, the Gieses list the centuries and what they are most profoundly known for…the sixth century (A.D. 500-600) was the Barbarian century, the ending of the Great Migrations, and establishment of barbarian kingdoms. The prominent warfare caused a major decline in the population. The seventh century (A.D. 600-700) was the Muslim century with the explosion of Islam in North Africa and Near East. By the end of this century, all southern regions of the Roman Empire and Persia were Muslim. The eighth century (A.D. 700-800) was the Carolingian century, Charles Martel halted the Islamic advance into Europe at the battle of Poitier. His grandson Charlemagne would become the founder a Roman Empire and promote the scholarly and artistic revival known as the Carolingian Renaissance. The ninth century (A.D. 800-900) was the Viking century, demonstrated by marauding of towns and even monasteries. Overcoming these outlandish odds, technological advancements did occur. One being a new form of agriculture that included a new type of plow and the second was a new military caste, composed of armored horsemen, who were considered the elite. The new agriculture sought self-sufficiency and created a highly decentralized rural landscape. Inventions included the heavy plow mounted on wheels was pulled by oxen, a harrow, scythe, the pitchfork, the rigid padded horse collar, the water mill, swords and plowshares, the “Romanesque style”, horseshoes, and the above ground furnace. The authors mentioned the women as being expertise spinners at manufacturing wool and linen cloth. The roads, rivers, and bridges were vital for transportation and trade. In “The Not So Dark Ages”, the authors successfully present the various techniques and technologies that the Medieval Age experienced. The padded iron allowed farmers to cultivate the land with the much faster horses and the water will grinded the grain that the farmers had produced are just a few of the important advancements on land. The Lateen Sail and the Long Ship were the sea advancements that would make travel and trade much easier on the sea. Furthermore, in the fourth chapter, titled “The Asian Connection,” the authors elaborate on the major influence Asian countries had on Europe. Europeans received many gifts from Asian countries that would they imitate and use for their advantage, including: “paddle horse collar, stirrups, crank, tolls, weapons, and religious practices” (Gies 82). The Gieses proclaim China as being the most influential for Medieval Europe .The Chinese silk and textiles were highly valuable to the Romans, the want for these beautiful fabrics created a “permanent line of communication between the East and West” (83). Henceforth, the Silk Road was created. Transmission remained from East to West throughout the Middle Ages. Europe had little to offer Asia, and Asia had a great deal to offer Europe.
The diffusion of Chinese technologies to Europe began in the fourth century B.C. with iron. Following, the trade and ideologies of the Chinese to Europe included the usage of waterpower, waterwheels, floating mills, mechanized astronomical instruments, clocks, the wheelbarrow, suspension bridge, porcelain, carriages, magnetic compass, gunpowder, paper, the use of toilet paper, paper money, Other countries including India and Persia influenced the technology of Europe, like metallurgy and advancements in the mathematics, cotton gin, the original spinning wheel and Persia technology windmill. In the Middle Ages, Europe received “hand-me-down technology” from the rather elite Asian countries, especially China. Arabs carried the technology either as artifacts or ideas. The advancements of the Asian countries continued to influence their westward counterparts even though there was a lack of communication and contact.
Proceeding, the fifth chapter “The Technology of The Commercial Revolution” (900-1200) the authors begin this chapter by acknowledging the Europeans stronger defenses against the barbaric Vikings and their other nemeses. In Spain, the Christians fought back with their Muslim rivals and the crusades.
The religious Crusades spread Asia Minor, Syria, and Palestine, continuing the first effort of the Europeans, to overcome the Muslims. Italian maritime cities prospered from the trading of luxury goods from the capture of Jerusalem.
The victorious outcome of the Crusades would lead to future advancements because Islamic intelligence became accessible. Simultaneously, while others like the Europeans and Italians were interested in gaining Muslim knowledge in the sciences as well as militia tactics, the Vikings became infatuated with discovery new lands like Iceland. Greenland, and yes America too. However, the authors denote that Irish missionaries probably discovered the Americas prior to the Vikings, nevertheless, the appeal of the foreign Americas didn’t captivate the either’s attention for long. As the tenth century transpired to the eleventh century the amount of manufacture goods being traded and created rose substantially, while the length of labor required decreased due to the increase technology that allotted better tools and machines that were more efficient. Prior to such advancements, Europe’s trade was limited to furs and slaves, now the quality had improved and shipping of textiles and of various metals, as well as, fine wools to countries including Africa, Alexandria, and Constantinople, just to name a few. Germans in the North, whom had accessibility to the North Sea would profit heavily off of their “commercial carriers” and be awarded great prestige for their merchant guild in 1000. As the centuries progressed, Europe would transform dramatically from a military based country to a country focused on “commerce” and industrialization (Gies 107). The population had nearly tripled by 1200.The Gieses acknowledged that the countryside dwellers had an “Open-Field System” comprised of a Lord and peasant. They incorporated the use of the heavy plow, horse harness, and water mill to increase productivity, as well as the need for cooperation. During these centuries the systems of drainage, land clearance, and irrigation would experience continual growth. The production of crafts and other handmade items created from fabrics like wool, cotton, and silk rose significantly during the central Middle Ages. A new variety of craft guilds were also created in the ever-changing centuries, including: glassmakers, armorers, and black smiths. Elaborate cathedrals and churches were created in the Romanesque style and then the Gothics style, with delicately and sophisticated glass windows that were reference as “Bibles in glass.” Cathedrals were not the only buildings being influenced by the Gothic style; castles along with other military constructions did as well. Technological advances, such as drawbridges, missile weapons, trebuchet, and crossbows would become mandatory necessities for military and protection during the Middle Ages.
Moreover, road and bridge construction during this time would alleviate prior congested roadways.
The transportation of goods, people, and etcetera from various location became less troublesome and the construction of the aforementioned entities would increase substantially. Bridges were sustainable environments, providing the necessities for raising a child from birth to adulthood. Henceforth, bridges were often the center for gatherings and celebrations. Not only was commerce abundant on the land, but also at sea. Ships and sails experienced a voracious technology boost, like the cog. The cog allowed the entire sail to be propelled, this in addition to the high deck proved it advantageous for combat at sea. Ship styles evolved, the mariner’s compass improved navigation, the stern rudder improved steering and removed the requirement of oars, and finally a two-master ship that allowed goods to transported in large quantities. The authors claim the most important creation of the eleventh century was the Medical
School.
In concluding this vigorous chapter that consisted of the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth centuries, one can successfully conclude that the Middle Ages changed mankind for the better. Commerce on land and sea, industrialization, agricultural, and increase of intelligence is undeniable and must be respected.