A SPARK IN THE DARKWriting about the years following the fall of Rome, Petrarch asserted: "amidst errors shone men of genius, whose eyes were not no less vivid, even though they were surrounded by darkness and dense gloom. Petrarch's negative view of the Early Middle Ages, from the fall of Rome in 410 to the coronation of Charlemagne in 800, reflected the views of many humanists and historians, and the idea that it was an era of delay continues to influence people today. However, Petrarch was wrong to describe the early Middle Ages as “dark”. Although this period was not the most peaceful in human history, there are many aspects that justify its importance and necessity. Given the strength of the economy and trade, new technologies and codes of law, and the emphasis on education through the rise of Christianity, the Dark Ages were a harmless part of human history that slowly paved the way for the future. The demise of Rome as a major power and subsequent invasions by foreign tribes led to what is known as the Dark Ages. Economic problems and high military costs resulting from war with Persia in the third century plagued Rome, leading to increased taxes and a decline in the landowning class.1 With the division of the Roman Empire under Diocletian in 286 , the eastern and western halves slowly drifted apart, failed to cooperate, and fought over resources and territories.2 The strength of the eastern empire actually encouraged barbarian tribes to invade declining, unfortified cities of the Western Empire.3 These tribes included the Ostrogoths, the Alans, the Vandals. , and the Visigoths, who violently sacked Rome in 410.4 After the fall of Rome, began the period called the Dark Ages, a time of supposed violence, middle of paper ......ranean and even sometimes further to ballast. The economy seemed to have enjoyed great success in the Middle Ages thanks to the discovery of huge retail stores. Under the wing of Christianity, education was also encouraged and the pursuit of the liberal arts became more important. People like Cassiodorus and Boethius played a vital role in preserving ancient Latin and Greek texts, and also developed their own interesting philosophies. At this time, Christianity was truly beginning to emerge as a strong religion, and the Dark Ages held great significance for the accommodation of Catholicism. With the Early Middle Ages culminating in the Carolingian Renaissance which further encouraged the pursuit of education and the arts, this era cannot be said to have been a time of darkness. For these reasons, the Dark Ages were overall a crucial and beneficial period in human history...