Watch The Dark Ages

The Dark Ages is a riveting documentary television series that was first aired in 2007 on the History Channel. The show features renowned historians and experts, including Philip Daileader, Kelly DeVries, and Bonnie Effros, who take viewers on a journey through one of the most misunderstood periods in world history.

The show delves deep into the Dark Ages, a period of time that spans from the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD to the emergence of the High Middle Ages in the 11th century. This period is often regarded as a time of cultural, political, and economic stagnation, characterized by barbarism, war, and chaos.

However, the show challenges this simplistic and biased characterization, revealing the surprising complexity and diversity of the Dark Ages. Using a combination of visual reenactments, expert interviews, and archaeological evidence, the show uncovers the various social, cultural, economic, and political forces that shaped this era.

The first episode, titled "The Barbarian Threat," explores the initial decline of the Western Roman Empire and the emergence of new barbarian kingdoms, such as the Franks, the Visigoths, and the Ostrogoths. The episode reveals how these so-called barbarians were not simply primitive and uncivilized, but also had their own sophisticated cultures, languages, and belief systems.

The second episode, titled "The Vikings," focuses on the Viking raids and colonization of Europe in the 8th and 9th centuries. The episode highlights the impressive navigational skills, technological innovations, and trading networks of the Vikings, as well as their brutal raids and impact on European society.

The third episode, titled "The Age of Charlemagne," examines the reign of the legendary Frankish king Charlemagne, who expanded his empire to unprecedented levels of power and influence in the late 8th and early 9th centuries. The episode explores Charlemagne's cultural and intellectual accomplishments, including his patronage of learning and his efforts to unify the diverse peoples of Europe.

The fourth episode, titled "The Byzantines," focuses on the Byzantine Empire, which survived and flourished during the Dark Ages, and its relations with the barbarian kingdoms and Islamic empires of the time. The episode highlights the Byzantine's impressive art, architecture, and strategic military and economic policies.

The final episode, titled "The Age of the Vikings," examines the Vikings' role in shaping European society during the 10th and 11th centuries, including their impact on trade, language, and politics. The episode also explores the emergence of new kingdoms and empires, such as the Holy Roman Empire, and the beginning of the transition to the High Middle Ages.

In addition to the expert analysis and historical insights, The Dark Ages also features stunning visual reenactments and on-location shots of the various historical sites and artifacts. The show's narrators and experts also have a strong and engaging presence, drawing viewers into the story and conveying a sense of excitement and wonder at the complexities and diversity of the Dark Ages.

Overall, The Dark Ages is an illuminating and thought-provoking documentary series that challenges common misconceptions and biases about a critical period in world history. With its rich combination of expert analysis, visual reenactments, and archaeological evidence, the show offers a nuanced and engaging exploration of the Dark Ages that will fascinate viewers of all ages and backgrounds.