The middle ages (also known as the dark ages) was the period of time between the 5th and 15th centuries. During this time frame, the focuses on art and literature ceased and nearly all people in Europe were frightened of outside invaders. The most notorious of the invading groups were the vikings. The vikings would pillage and sack the European cities they and would rob and beat any civilian they saw mercilessly. The vikings didn't care about settling down anywhere and they were nomads so they moved frequently having no permanent home.
Living in fear of the vikings and other invading groups, the Europeans built a feudal system that would help protect them from outside attacks. While in these conditions all of the focuses on anything but survival were considered worthless, so many writings from the Romans and Greeks were lost. Most of the people in the middle ages were uneducated and only the monks and high up members of the feudal system could read. Because of the lack of education and because the catholic church ruled over almost everybody (including the king) everyone had to believe what they said because normal people could not read the bible.
Living in fear of the vikings and other invading groups, the Europeans built a feudal system that would help protect them from outside attacks. While in these conditions all of the focuses on anything but survival were considered worthless, so many writings from the Romans and Greeks were lost. Most of the people in the middle ages were uneducated and only the monks and high up members of the feudal system could read. Because of the lack of education and because the catholic church ruled over almost everybody (including the king) everyone had to believe what they said because normal people could not read the bible.