Why The Dark Ages Were Not Really That Dark | Age Of Light Full Series | Chronicle

Published 2022-07-30
The Dark Ages have been misunderstood. History has identified the period following the fall of the Roman Empire as a descent into barbarism - a terrible time when civilization stopped.

Waldemar Januszczak disagrees. In this four-part series, he argues that the Dark Ages were a time of great artistic achievement, with new ideas and religions provoking new artistic adventures. He embarks on a fascinating trip across Europe, Africa, and Asia visits the world's most famous collections, and discovers hidden artistic gems, all to prove that the Dark Ages were actually an 'Age of Light'.

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All Comments (21)
  • @r3conwoo
    I love these 4 hour long videos that I can play in the background while doing other things whilst only paying attention just enough to be misinformed.
  • @Witchofthewoods.
    If every history teacher was like this guy, there would be a world of history buffs. He's perfect, funny at the right time, and the best storyteller.
  • @EloTheCurious
    These videos often get funneled into my auto play while I’m sleeping. I wonder what kind of history are coloring my dreams! I’ll have to go back and watch them again. ✨
  • “A rich Christian family WERE buried here...”. But we got rid of all of those old dusty bones and junk and then we opened up the catacombs for paying tourists, local and foreign camera crews, movie producers etc. but it’s all very cultural, very respectful. I don’t know what happened to all of the bones, I just work here - that’ll be 50 bucks thanks.
  • @JJ17133
    Honestly love how the guy is so knowledgeable about many topics but lays them out in such a casual way that seems almost comedic. Very interesting on scene camera work. Truly a masterpiece of a video 10/10
  • @rubenskiii
    Having seen Hagia Sophia myself i can attest to how breathtakingly impressive architecture in those "dark ages" can be.
  • The Islamic rock crystal art is amazing. Just a couple millimeters thick? The INSANE amount of talent to be able to do that is incredible, but to also be able to carve such beautiful images is truly astonishing. I took art history in college and HATED IT. If Waldemar had been my teacher, I'm sure that wouldn't be the case. I've learned more & seen more beautiful art in these docs than I ever did in school; unsurprising since American art history classes only focus on a very few popular artists & call it a day 🙄. Could watch Waldemar's videos for hours & never get bored. He is so knowledgeable & presents in such an entertaining way. ❤️
  • @jeff__w
    Originally broadcast as The Dark Ages: An Age of Light (2012) S1 E1 • The Clash of the Gods Nov 27, 2012 S1 E2 • What the Barbarians Did for Us 59:35 Dec 4, 2012 S1 E3 • The Wonder of Islam 1:59:01 Dec 11, 2012 S1 E4 • The Men of the North 2:58:15 Dec 18, 2012
  • @jferina77
    This was fascinating! Thank you to everyone who was a part of this docu-series. Your efforts were immense and are much appreciated! I'm continually amazed by how much there is to learn about things we didn't know we needed to know.
  • This was phenomenal. The passion and excitement oozing out of every sentence is contagious.
  • @Speedball69
    My favorite part is when he stopped n walked around the black kitty instead of making it go out the way or re-record at 1:08:00
  • @Kid_Ikaris
    29:10 the random cat fearing no God walking freely amongst the ruins
  • @aceknuff1411
    I always wake up to these type of video no mater what I watch
  • Eye Candy! Eye LOVE it!! A little of this a little of that. That being those dee-licious hues of blue..those Bee-utiful underwater scuba diving docus! I was in Mexico in '69, I was very young, bit I will never forget the Pacific Ocean. I'm a Pisces and I just took in all those shades of blue..it was a visual.turning point in my life. I was 9 years old! Most of my artwork and prints always end up with the color Blue as one of the focal points..Ultramrine Blue and Teal are my fave blues..
  • Why does YouTube think I want to watch this OVER AND OVER again. If I got a dime for every time this played on auto play I'd be rich
  • @davidsan9654
    2:09:16 I love how he just sets up shop and starts recording while people are trying to pray
  • A common thing, back then was the fact that many Patrons helped out financially behind the scenes and many of them, insisted on the artist rendering their wive's or sons or daughters portraits on the ads of some of the figures depicted in the scenes. And, another detail I know, because I'm an artist, is that not every painter is good at portraits. Lots of people don't realize that. Plus, the artists often weren't paid properly or in a timely manner. A creative person can often be distracted by behind the scene quibbling..ruining the experience and quality of the finished piece.
  • @scarlett1854
    This is amazing! I even minored in art history, and I never knew that “happy Jesus” existed first…and I love the fact that the early artists depicted him with a wand!