19th Century Historiography
- In the 19th century, the professionalization of history as an academic discipline led to more rigorous periodization.
- German historians such as Leopold von Ranke and French scholars adopted the term Moyen Âge (French for Middle Ages) and Mittelalter (German) as formal historical periods.
- The term helped scholars structure European history into manageable sections for study and teaching.
- Museums, universities, and textbooks began to use the term as a neutral chronological label.
Changing Views of the Middle Ages
- The 19th century also saw a reassessment of the Middle Ages, moving away from the purely negative Enlightenment view.
- Romanticism sparked renewed interest in medieval art, architecture (such as Gothic cathedrals), and literature (like the Arthurian legends).
- Historians began to emphasize the achievements and complexity of medieval society rather than only its supposed backwardness. shutdown123