Revisiting past misconceptions

History myths debunked: 10 reasons why the Middle Ages weren't dark

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Typically, the Middle Ages have carried the stigma of being a time of regression, superstition, ignorance, and barbarism. However, in 1,000 years, there was enough time for great transformations, including key cultural, technological, and scientific breakthroughs. Yes, it was a time marked by conflict, famine, and disease, but many inventions and developments laid the foundations for the modern world. In this article, we’ll discuss why the Middle Ages weren’t as obscure as you might think. Come join us!

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During the Middle Ages, the West did extremely well thanks to a development in agricultural knowledge. Inventions as elementary as iron tools and the wheelbarrow transformed the medieval agricultural landscape. Their simplicity and efficiency allowed for the reduction of the workload, optimizing resources and boosting the growth of agricultural production.

The feudal system also introduced efficient ways to manage the land. The possibility of carrying materials over greater distances, the expansion of arable areas, and the introduction of new agricultural practices resulted in more food, better nutrition, and an increase in population. This shows that even the simplest innovations can bring about profound changes in society!

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The advent of the printing press marked a turning point in history. It was invented by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440 and was the key to producing books quickly and massively, breaking down the barriers of cost and accessibility. This, in turn, gave way to the democratization of knowledge, later boosting the Renaissance intellectual movement.

Since the Middle Ages, this technique became the perfect vehicle for wider access to essential texts, fostered the exchange of ideas and debate, and promoted cultural flourishing, paving the way for the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment, decisive stages in the world's social development.

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Once the printing press was invented, the next step was to make books available to the entire population. The creation of libraries during the Middle Ages was essential to widespread new ideas. The world's first public library, located in Cesena, Italy, was inaugurated in 1452. This library allowed citizens free access to its collection of books.

At a time when learning and literacy were largely restricted to the clergy, the Cesena Library offered the population unprecedented access to knowledge. This symbolizes a change in the social perception of the importance of education, which began to be seen as a common good. The Cesena library became a model for future public libraries, promoting the idea that knowledge should be accessible to all.

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Between the mid-twelfth and early thirteenth centuries, all of Europe began to develop new institutions of education: the universities. These learning centers, which taught the arts, law, medicine, and theology, would forever change the intellectual and social landscape of the continent.

The medieval universities were based primarily on the Classical structure of ancient Greek education. However, they were also heavily influenced by Islamic education, which was thriving at the time. The University of Bologna, founded in 1088 in Italy, was the first ever to grant degrees. It was followed by the University of Oxford, founded in 1163.

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The astrolabe is one of the most fascinating inventions of the Middle Ages. Although the Greek astronomer Claudius Ptolemy is known to have used a similar instrument, it was during the Middle Ages when the astrolabe reached its maximum sophistication, allowing navigators and astronomers to expand their horizons, overcoming the geographical barriers of the time.

This medieval scientific advance helped to measure celestial bodies' altitude, making navigation easier. The astrolabe favored interaction between peoples and contributed to the flourishing of trade and culture. The expansion of maritime routes not only increased the wealth of medieval societies, it also laid the foundations for commercial globalization in the centuries to come.

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At first glance, it may seem inconsequential, but the introduction of functional buttons in the Middle Ages meant a considerable improvement in everyday life. Before the 13th century, buttons were purely decorative, with no practical purpose. The invention of buttonholes allowed buttons to become truly useful, allowing clothes to fit more securely.

The use of functional buttons led to more elaborate and fitted garments, providing comfort and freedom of movement. This innovation had a cultural impact, as buttons acquired a symbolic and aesthetic status. Their production demanded technical skills, raising craftsmen's prestige and establishing a new market. This phenomenon reflects how small innovations can have an expansive effect on society, ranging from culture to the economy.

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Eyeglasses were one of the most significant inventions of the Middle Ages, improving the quality of life for those suffering from vision problems. Although convex lenses had been used before, the first spectacles appeared in Italy during the 13th century.

The manufacture of glasses required experimenting with various materials and an advanced knowledge of optics, marking the birth of modern optometry. This breakthrough made life easier for monks, scholars, and craftsmen who depended on sharp vision. Through improved quality of life and productivity, this medieval invention directly impacted the economic and cultural growth of society.

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The Middle Ages weren’t as dark as Renaissance and Enlightenment artists liked to think. Knowledge had simply migrated to the East, first to Constantinople and then to the Islamic world. Many scientific treatises that were recovered during the Renaissance came, in fact, from copies made in the East during this time.

The Byzantine Empire, for example, was a massive outpouring of books. Literacy was high, elementary education was widespread —even in rural areas— and middle and higher education were available to many people. While the Byzantine Empire didn't create a lot of new thinking, it solidified and protected invaluable knowledge for the future.

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The hourglass, adopted in Europe towards the end of the High Middle Ages, became a key tool for measuring time accurately. Its simplicity and reliability were fundamental in an era when the management of daily activities was increasingly valued.

This instrument is one of the medieval inventions that most favored navigation and trade, boosting cultural and economic exchange. The portability and precision of the hourglass made it an essential resource for sailors, as it was unaffected by the ship’s movement, ensuring accurate timekeeping. The appreciation of time as a valuable resource laid the foundation for the development of more advanced clocks, spurring technical progress over the following centuries.

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Paper money is the medieval invention that revolutionized the economy the most. Originating in China in the 11th century, it did not reach Europe until several centuries later. However, its introduction made it possible to replace heavy metal coins with light banknotes, simplifying commercial transactions.

Its adoption in Europe meant a radical transformation in financial structures and in the way capital circulated. The convenience of transporting and storing paper money boosted trade, expanded markets, favored economic growth, and sowed the seeds of the modern financial system.

Travel the world

Wait… Is that its real name? A fun guessing game about country names!

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Ever looked at a map, saw a country name, and thought, "Wait, that’s not what we call it?" Well, you’re not alone! Many countries go by entirely different names in their native language, and some of them might even surprise you. So, we’ve come up with a game: You’ll find six countries’ original names and some clues for you to guess which country it is. In the second part of the article, we’ll provide the answer and the origins of the names. Are you up for the challenge?

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ni‧hon

Its name means "origin of the sun," which is why it’s often called the Land of the Rising Sun. This island nation is famous for sushi, cherry blossoms, and bullet trains that are more punctual than your morning coffee.

It’s home to one of the world’s most unique alphabets and a culture that blends centuries-old traditions with futuristic tech. Oh, and it’s also where you’ll find sumo wrestling, anime, and some of the most polite people on the planet. Have you guessed it already?

Credit: Henrique Craveiro

eir‧e

This green and rainy island is home to breathtaking cliffs, lively music, and a legendary love for storytelling. In some areas, you’ll find more sheep than people, and it is the birthplace of both Guinness beer and some of the best poets in history.

The locals have their own native language, even though English is widely spoken. In their tongue, the country’s name is short and sweet: Éire. Does it ring any bells?

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hel‧las

We’ll say a few words and you’ll guess it: democracy, philosophy, and some seriously delicious food. If we say we all love a good gyro, are we giving it away?

Its ancient ruins attract millions of tourists every year, and its mythology has inspired stories for thousands of years. The Olympics? Yeah, they started here too. But while we use one name, the locals call it Hellas. Got a guess?

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deutsch‧land

This country is famous for bratwurst, beer, and fairy tale castles that look straight out of a storybook. It’s got an impressive history of poets and philosophers, and its car industry is one of the best in the world. But here’s the twist: Its native name sounds nothing like what we call it in English. Locals refer to it as Deutschland. Can you figure out where this is?

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suo‧mi

This land is famous for its saunas, the Northern Lights, and people who are perfectly happy not talking for hours. It has thousands of lakes, more reindeer than people in some areas, and is home to one of the happiest populations on Earth.

The language spoken here is one of the trickiest in the world to learn, and its native name doesn’t sound anything like what we call it in English. Any idea which frosty but friendly country this is?

Credit: Spencer Davis

hr‧vat‧ska

This small but stunning country sits along the Adriatic Sea, it has crystal-clear waters and impressive coastal towns. It’s home to medieval cities, Game of Thrones filming locations, and some of the world’s best seafood. But if you ask a local where you are, they won’t say the name you know. Instead, they’ll say Hrvatska. Any idea where this is?

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If you guessed Japan, give yourself a high-five! In Japanese, the country is called Nihon or Nippon, which roughly translates to "origin of the sun." This makes perfect sense when you realize that Japan is east of China, where the sun rises first!

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That’s right, it’s Ireland! Did you guess it right? The name Éire comes from Old Irish and is linked to the goddess Ériu, a mythical figure associated with the land’s beauty and power.

The English name "Ireland" naturally evolved from this. Most people there speak English daily, but Irish (Gaeilge) is still an official language, and you’ll see signs written in both languages all over the country.

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If you said Greece, you nailed it! The country’s real name is Hellas, and its people refer to themselves as Hellenes. One more fact? The modern official name is the Hellenic Republic!

So where did "Greece" come from? The Romans had a habit of renaming places, and they used the Latin word Graecia to describe the land.

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This was an easy one, right? Yep, it’s Germany! The name Deutschland comes from an old Germanic word meaning "the people’s land." But here’s where things get wild, Germany and Deutschland are not the only names.

The French say Allemagne, the Spanish call it Alemania, and in Finnish, it’s Saksa. Why so many names? It all comes down to history, as different tribes and regions had their own words for the place. Fascinating, isn’t it?

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Maybe you guessed Norway, but the second one is actually Finland! In Finnish, the country is called Suomi. The exact origin of the name is a bit of a mystery, but one thing is for sure, Finns just roll with it. They’re just too busy enjoying their saunas and sipping coffee (they drink more per person than any other country!) to argue about it.

Credit: Daniel Trofimov

If you guessed Croatia, you got it! The origins of this name are connected to the native language, land, and people in the area. Hrvati was the way to call the locals, for example.

But why do we call it Croatia in English? That’s the work of the Latin-speaking Romans, who adapted the name to what we know today.