Middle Ages
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The '''Middle Ages''' is a period in [[European history]] following [[Classical antiquity]] and the [[fall of the Roman Empire|fall of the Western Roman Empire]], spanning roughly the 10 centuries from AD 500 to 1500. It was a period of great cultural, political, and economic change in [[Europe]]. The Middle Ages witnessed the first sustained [[urbanization]] of northern and western Europe. Modern European states [[Nationalism|owe their origins]] to the Middle Ages, and their political boundaries as we know them are essentially the result of the military and dynastic achievements in this tumultuous period. Science, technology, agricultural production, and social identity changed drastically during this period. | The '''Middle Ages''' is a period in [[European history]] following [[Classical antiquity]] and the [[fall of the Roman Empire|fall of the Western Roman Empire]], spanning roughly the 10 centuries from AD 500 to 1500. It was a period of great cultural, political, and economic change in [[Europe]]. The Middle Ages witnessed the first sustained [[urbanization]] of northern and western Europe. Modern European states [[Nationalism|owe their origins]] to the Middle Ages, and their political boundaries as we know them are essentially the result of the military and dynastic achievements in this tumultuous period. Science, technology, agricultural production, and social identity changed drastically during this period. | ||
- | == Art and architecture == | + | == Art and architecture of the Early Middle Ages== |
Few large stone buildings were attempted between the Constantinian basilicas of the 4th century, and the 8th century. At this time, the establishment of churches and monasteries, and a comparative political stability, brought about the development of a form of stone architecture loosely based upon Roman forms and hence later named [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]]. Where available, Roman brick and stone buildings were recycled for their materials. From the fairly tentative beginnings known as the [[First Romanesque]], the style flourished and spread across Europe in a remarkably homogeneous form. The features are massive stone walls, openings topped by semi-circular arches, small windows, and, particularly in France, arched stone vaults and arrows | Few large stone buildings were attempted between the Constantinian basilicas of the 4th century, and the 8th century. At this time, the establishment of churches and monasteries, and a comparative political stability, brought about the development of a form of stone architecture loosely based upon Roman forms and hence later named [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]]. Where available, Roman brick and stone buildings were recycled for their materials. From the fairly tentative beginnings known as the [[First Romanesque]], the style flourished and spread across Europe in a remarkably homogeneous form. The features are massive stone walls, openings topped by semi-circular arches, small windows, and, particularly in France, arched stone vaults and arrows | ||
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The Middle Ages is a period in European history following Classical antiquity and the fall of the Western Roman Empire, spanning roughly the 10 centuries from AD 500 to 1500. It was a period of great cultural, political, and economic change in Europe. The Middle Ages witnessed the first sustained urbanization of northern and western Europe. Modern European states owe their origins to the Middle Ages, and their political boundaries as we know them are essentially the result of the military and dynastic achievements in this tumultuous period. Science, technology, agricultural production, and social identity changed drastically during this period.
Art and architecture of the Early Middle Ages
Few large stone buildings were attempted between the Constantinian basilicas of the 4th century, and the 8th century. At this time, the establishment of churches and monasteries, and a comparative political stability, brought about the development of a form of stone architecture loosely based upon Roman forms and hence later named Romanesque. Where available, Roman brick and stone buildings were recycled for their materials. From the fairly tentative beginnings known as the First Romanesque, the style flourished and spread across Europe in a remarkably homogeneous form. The features are massive stone walls, openings topped by semi-circular arches, small windows, and, particularly in France, arched stone vaults and arrows
In the decorative arts, Celtic and Germanic barbarian forms were absorbed into Christian art, although the central impulse remained Roman and Byzantine. High quality jewellery and religious imagery were produced throughout Western Europe; Charlemagne and other monarchs provided patronage for religious artworks such as reliquaries and books. Some of the principal artworks of the age were the fabulous Illuminated manuscripts produced by monks on vellum, using gold, silver, and precious pigments to illustrate biblical narratives. Early examples include the Book of Kells and many Carolingian and Ottonian Frankish manuscripts.
Culture
See also
Middle Ages related pages:
- Barbarian invasions
- Crisis of the Late Middle Ages
- List of basic medieval history topics
- Medieval art
- Medieval architecture
- Medieval warm period
- Medieval communes
- Medieval chronological timeline
- Medieval cuisine
- Medieval demography
- List of famines
- Middle Ages in film
- Medieval gardening
- Medieval guilds
- Horses in the Middle Ages
- Medieval household
- Medieval hunting
- Islamic Golden Age
- History of the Jews in the Middle Ages
- Medieval literature
- Medieval medicine
- Medieval music
- Neo-medievalism
- Medieval philosophy
- Medieval poetry
- Medieval reenactment
- Medieval science
- Medieval ships
- Medieval theatre
- Medieval warfare
- Medieval Wars
- Medieval tournament
- Mining and metallurgy in medieval Europe
- Popular revolt in late medieval Europe
- Serfdom
- Slave trade in the Middle Ages
- Tatar invasions
- The heroic age