From Ancient World to Middle Ages: Adaptation and Transmission
Michael Haren
Scholars now generally agree that the term ‘Dark Ages’ will not serve as a judgement on period from fall of Rome to Carolingian ‘renaissance’. Yet it is clear what if anything should replace it. The truth this like most periods history an obvious blend darkness and light, death birth. Although far being golden age intense creativity, neither time obscurantist indifference, let alone hostility learning. One great contributions St Augustine Latin Christianity was his justification role secular learning for theologian. His own world view, which he bequeathed early middle ages, well spiritual progress towards Christian belief were heavily indebted ancient philosophy. Boethius saw himself retrieving treasures Greek thought losing contact with them. younger contemporary, Cassiodorus, other contributors encyclopaedic tradition more modestly performed similar liberal arts wide range lore. theme adaptation transmission lends whatever coherence intellectual western Europe may be said possess in transitional period. exaggerated. Activity sporadic and, its subject matter, piecemeal.