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  1. History Lessons
  2. World History
  3. 1 CE - 500 CE
  4. The Dark Ages
Topic: World History
Time Period: 1 CE - 500 CE, 500 CE - 1300 CE

The Dark Ages

The past is often neatly partitioned in time periods and eras with generalized names meant to characterize what life was like during that time. In this multi-day lesson, students question the validity of using “Dark Ages” to describe Europe from the fall of the Roman Empire to the Renaissance. In the process, students examine a variety of primary and secondary sources highlighting different social, political, economic, cultural, and environmental facets of life in Europe during this period.

Image: Illustration from the 13th century manuscript of Middle Ages romance stories by Robert de Boron. From the World Digital Library.

Image: Illustration from the 13th century manuscript of Middle Ages romance stories by Robert de Boron. From the World Digital Library.

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