Although most people believe that the Middle Ages was a dark period in the history of humanity, there exist reasons to believe that the situation was not as dark as it was often painted. During this period, a number of significant achievements in the cultural area were registered, including the birth of universities, establishment of scientific foundations, Carolingian Renaissance, liberating legislative systems, and religious unity. Among these important achievements, the Renaissance appears to be the most meaningful because it opened the door to the modern age for humanity.
Evaluating positive points about Middle Age culture, the first idea coming to mind is, of course, immense progress in science and education. During this period, the great mathematical science of algebra came to the western world from Arabian countries. Al-Khwārizmī’s textbook on algebra became the first textbook on this subject available in the western world. This textbook’s Arabic title, which sounded like “algebra,” became an official name for this science in European languages. Among the other sciences which became thriving during this period were philosophy and chemistry.
Such scientific progress became a reason for great educational development. In the Middle centuries, the first universities were opened, which became a significant step for the unprecedented advancement in education. The educational system called Classical Education developed during those days is still used in a number of educational establishments around the globe. Some of the Universities founded in the Middle Ages are still among the most celebrated educational establishments in the world. An example of such a university is the University of Bologna, founded in the eleventh century.
The other significant achievements of Medieval culture are progress in legislation and religious unity. Educational progress helped people understand that they must fight for their rights and freedoms and fixate their victories in new liberal laws. Of course, in the Middle Ages, people were rather far away from the achievements made during the Epoch of Enlightenment, but that was an important beginning of the triumphant march to future victories. Religious unity was among positive moments during the Middle Centuries as it helped humanity avoid numerous unwanted conflicts.