I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again:
The “Islamic Golden Age” of science and culture is largely fake.
Moreover, the idea of a “Christian Dark Age” is actively malicious propaganda.
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The “Islamic Golden Age” of science and culture is largely fake.
Moreover, the idea of a “Christian Dark Age” is actively malicious propaganda.
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My main issue with the Islamic Golden Age is that it’s a misnomer.
Most of the important contributions were undertaken by Persians, Hindus, Jews, and yes, even Christians.
(Particularly Nestorians, as in the case of the vaunted medical academy of Gondishapur)
Most of the important contributions were undertaken by Persians, Hindus, Jews, and yes, even Christians.
(Particularly Nestorians, as in the case of the vaunted medical academy of Gondishapur)
However, today we remember them by their Arabic names, and Islamic scholars are all too happy to let that remain the case.
Yes, great scientific and mathematical advances happened, often funded by the caliphate — but Islam was by no means a “peaceful religion focused on science”
Yes, great scientific and mathematical advances happened, often funded by the caliphate — but Islam was by no means a “peaceful religion focused on science”
The best examples against this, imo, are the Arabic accounts of the burning of the Library of Alexandria, which record it being done by a Muslim general — and proudly!
“If what is in the books is in the Quran, it is not needed, and if it disagrees, it is not wanted”, etc.
“If what is in the books is in the Quran, it is not needed, and if it disagrees, it is not wanted”, etc.
This account is probably false, but the fact that it was recorded as such is important — this aversion to knowledge was a point of pride!
Also, the idea that basically no advancements happened in the Christian world is a complete farce.
Monks dedicated their entire lives to copying important works, and many became quite engaged in science, math, astronomy, etc.
Monks dedicated their entire lives to copying important works, and many became quite engaged in science, math, astronomy, etc.
Also, many Classical works were lost in the West, meaning that Christendom had to essentially start over with the natural sciences.
However, whenever these Greek texts were found (or copies were imported from the East), they were quickly integrated into Western thought.
However, whenever these Greek texts were found (or copies were imported from the East), they were quickly integrated into Western thought.
Technological development is a different story, and one that is, again, more favorable in the West
The three-field system, the steel plow, clocks, wagons, etc. were all developed in the Middle Ages, many even in Late Antiquity (the darkest “Dark Age”)
Also, architecture:
The three-field system, the steel plow, clocks, wagons, etc. were all developed in the Middle Ages, many even in Late Antiquity (the darkest “Dark Age”)
Also, architecture:
As a result, Europeans in this era were some of the best-fed and healthiest people in the world.
Their food production per capita continually rose throughout the entire era slandered as “dark”
Their food production per capita continually rose throughout the entire era slandered as “dark”
Also, after the collapse of Western Rome, the catastrophic wars in former Roman territory led to immense developments in military technology and logistics
Organization, transportation, weapons, armor, siege engines, ships… all were refined in the West during the medieval era.
Organization, transportation, weapons, armor, siege engines, ships… all were refined in the West during the medieval era.
For example, the navies of the caliphate were made up almost entirely of Christians — and they imported their engineers and commanders from Italy & Byzantium.
Speaking of Byzantium… Eastern Rome was probably the technological capital of the world at the time, situated between East and West (but firmly on the side of the West due to its Christianity).
In terms of military technology in particular, they were far ahead.
In terms of military technology in particular, they were far ahead.
But all of this nuance doesn’t matter to the people who peddle the “dark ages” lie today.
Their motives are purely political — to slander European history and culture; to demean Christianity.
Their motives are purely political — to slander European history and culture; to demean Christianity.
Let us not forget that when East and West met in military struggles, the West decisively won.
The First Crusade was basically a conflict of pure excess in the West — they were able to finance and organize an expedition halfway across the world, purely for religious reasons.
The First Crusade was basically a conflict of pure excess in the West — they were able to finance and organize an expedition halfway across the world, purely for religious reasons.
The entire “dark ages” argument, once its facts are actually known, boils down to pure ethno-religious hatred.
These people want you to think you come from a lineage of debased, impoverished peasants — wallowing in dirt while the rest of the world was “doing science”.
These people want you to think you come from a lineage of debased, impoverished peasants — wallowing in dirt while the rest of the world was “doing science”.
They don’t know the material advances of the Middle Ages in Europe, and they can’t comprehend the spiritual advancements of the era.
It’s pure revisionism.
It’s pure revisionism.
Monty Python is funny — but don’t let it influence your view of actual history.
The “dark ages” are a complete myth.
Rather, the medieval era was one of vitality, honor, spirituality, and ascension in the West.
The “dark ages” are a complete myth.
Rather, the medieval era was one of vitality, honor, spirituality, and ascension in the West.
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