A_World_Lit_Only_by_Fire

Harielys Jerez-Nolasco Mr.Macksoud AP European History September 2,2013 Life during the medieval period A World Lit Only By Fire: The Medieval Mind And The Renaissance by William Manchester is able to portray that although the Middle Ages faced mass and utter destruction, it was able to develop the modern mentality found in present day. The Dark Ages was a period of sorrow for some and great happiness for others. Based on the text, the medieval period was seen as a time of success to many because of the advancement in technology and artistic/intellectual values were recognized , it was also seen as a time of disparity due to the diseases causing short life expectancies, corruption and supremacy found in the Christian faith, and violence creating crimes. The series of unrelated events were able to affect the overall populations but still became known as the dominant force in the world. Through all the negative aspects seen during the Middle Ages, there was still some success achieved such as advancing in scientific technologies. By the 800’s, Europe was experiencing dynamic changes. The introduction of waterwheels in the 800’s and windmills in the late 1100s was able to distribute clean water more accurately and windmills were able to supply clean energy, grind grain, and mill lumber speeding up production. The experiences of the crusaders and travelers like Marco Polo had expanded the European horizons, with the use of compass navigating ships. They were also able to develop new sea routes.Rather than taking 4 years they were able to advance and shorten it down by 3 years, making production and manufacturing in European civilization prosper. Being able to speed up the process also lead to more spices being transported such as cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt and pepper. They were used to disguise the odors and the ugly taste of spoiled meat. In addition, philosophers began to question the shape of the earth, its size, position and movement in the universe. Nicolaus Copernicus was able to challenge the ancient assumptions of heaven being centered and far more concluded that earth is the center of the universe, merely rotating on its own axis and orbiting around the sun once a year. Theories such as this was able to continue other researches, expanding the advancement in science and technology. Expanding the advancement in science and technology, was also able to accomplish artistic and intellectual achievement. Johannes Gutenberg was a German publisher who introduced printing to Europe. His invention had made a major contribution to the intellectual movement and is seen as the most significant invention to the modern period. The start of the printing revolution played a key role in the Renaissance in terms of any literature work. The Renaissance was a cultural movement where a rebirth of art, literature, and learning in Europe was found between the 14th and 17th century. The masterpieces artists were able to create was a way how they got fed. Customers would purchase their work and the money would be used mostly to feed oneself. Leonardo Da Vinci was viewed as the most creative figure during the Renaissance. With his artwork and the new derivation of individualism and humanism, he was capable of expanding the artistic and intellectual achievement by creating diagrams used still for anatomy today. From the use of anatomy doctors were able to develop cures for illnesses rather than depending on “constellations” and “angels”. Without the start of the printing press or the Renaissance, we would not have been able to grow as much as we do today. While the medieval period was seen as successful at times it was also seen as a time of disproportion. One of the downfalls was caused by the spread of diseases. The 1300’s were haunted by the pandemic Black Death that lingered through the air. The Black Death is considered as a widespread epidemic of bubonic plague that occurred in several outbreaks in the 14th century, originating from Asia, then spreading to the European continent. Since they were able to navigate through the oceans more due to their advancement in technology, Europeans were most vulnerable to the diseases. This was the down side of the exploration. The discoverers and their crews had been contaminated with germs spreading them to distant lands, being able to infect native populations. According to page 34 “ Each night gravediggers’ carts cracked down streets as drivers cried, “Bring out your dead!” and in Germany entire towns.....had become like cemeteries.”” Half the people in Europe died, usually before reaching their thirtieth birthday. Diseases wasn’t the only cause that led up to disparity in Europe but also the uneven distribution of food. Peasants were forced to sell all they owned in order to afford food, since inflations were put on goods during the Black Death. Because there was limited resources, most things were done by hand which slowed down production, causing famine. The mass depopulation in the 14th century is able to depict how devastating it was to live a short life during the medieval period. Nevertheless the entire medieval millennium, took on the aspect of Christendom. In medieval society it was only acceptable to be apart of the Christian faith.People were always taught that the only way they were to get into heaven was through Christianity. In Medieval English, the Church had enough authority and control to govern the life of every individual. Abortion even through rape and the use of contraceptives was disowned by the Church, because their belief is that whatever happens, is through God’s will. This is an example on how they wanted to dictate everyday citizens through religious conversions. Medieval threats were never idle when it came to religious conversions. King of the Franks, Charlemagne, was very loyal to the Church and had a very strange way of demonstrating it. While conquering Saxon rebels, he gave them a choice between baptism and immediate execution; having forty five hundred heads beheaded in one day. Theories were made said that stars were to be guided by angels and heaven was the center of the earth until science proved false otherwise. Christianity became and still is the most dominant religion in the world due to the amount of supremacy the have grown. Faith had held Europe together by giving hope and confidence to men who had been without it. Considering religion was a huge ordeal during The Dark Ages, warfare’s such as the Crusade broke out creating everyday violence and crime.The Crusade was a series of wars that were held during the time frame of 1095-1291 which stirred religious conflicts between Catholic Europeans and Muslims over the Holy Land. Christians wanted to expand their faith and was simply rejected, starting the war. Violence and crime was more like a daily routine on the streets. On top of roofs, twenty-four hours a day, stood watchmen, ready to strike at the first sign of attack or fire. They did not believe that “criminal characters” could be changed through correctional centers so criminals ran through the streets without being arrested. Since the Church had high authorities , the bishop made allowances for the violent streak in the Frankish character, basically granting authority to murder one another.Homicides, thievery, rape and assassination were even completed by our clergymen and no action was being put to it. Due to the lack of goods and resources, cannibalism was usual as well. Luckily from this, we were able to create infrastructures keeping those in danger, safe. A World Lit Only By Fire is able to prove that although, there was a lot of downfalls and decline found in the economy, the were still able to recover with much prosperity.Despite the fact there was short lifespans, corruption included in the Church and violent outbreaks, the medieval period was still able to thrive due to the new technology an artistic and intellectual value. Living during the medieval period was not as easy to think, and today as the USA , we aren’t able to be grateful for all the inventions we have. I am not saying we should keep the way things are but we should take in consideration of what we do have so far and be grateful that we have cures incase of any bubonic plagues striking again and that we have the freedom to choose a religion we believe in without having the fear to be executed.