The thinkers of the Renaissance called the “Middle Ages” in the development of European culture the time of general decline that fell on the period between the brilliant Antiquity and the talented Renaissance. In fact, the culture of the early Middle Ages (V-IX centuries) was a complex and many-sided phenomenon. It has become a new stage in the development of European consciousness and spiritual life.
The transition to the Middle Ages from Antiquity was due to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire and the collapse of ancient culture, as well as the Great Migration of Peoples. The formation of a new culture took place in a dramatic clash of two completely different cultures - antique (Romanesque) and barbaric (Germanic). No less important factor than the two, was the growing influence of Christianity, which became the integrating principle of a single holistic culture of a new level.
The culture of Western Europe in the early Middle Ages is a unique mixture of different cultures, which occurred as a result of a very controversial synthesis of ancient heritage with young barbaric ideas, which occurred under the influence of Christianity. It was it that became the dominant culture of this period, the pillar of a new worldview, worldview and worldview of people.
Spiritual life is always based on material life. In the early Middle Ages, the social basis of culture was as follows:
- estrangement of the peasant from the land;
- convention of the rights of feudal lords on land ownership (vassal system);
- feudal hierarchy, excluding the existence of complete private property.
Under such conditions, two sociocultural poles were formed - feudal lords and peasants dependent on them. This led to the emergence of the intellectual and spiritual elite, which was diametrically different from the "silent majority" of the illiterate common people. The features of the economic life that the early Middle Ages had had a significant effect on the formation of culture.
This period is special for Europe. It was at this time that the tasks that determined the future of European civilization were being solved. In antiquity, "Europe" did not exist as a cultural-historical community. It began to form only at this time.
The early Middle Ages did not give the world great achievements, but it was precisely this period that laid the foundation for a culture of its own European. Therefore, its value can be compared with the heights of the ancient culture.
The most striking phenomena in the cultural life of 5-7 centuries are associated with the assimilation of the ancient heritage, which was especially lively in Italy and Spain. Theology and rhetorical culture are developing rapidly. But already in the second half of the 7th century, Western European culture fell into decay. She huddles in monasteries, guarded only by monks.
The Early Middle Ages - the time of the creation of the first written "Stories" of barbarians. The abolition of slavery contributed to the more rapid development of technical inventions. Already in the 6th century, the use of water energy began.
It is practically impossible to recreate the cultural life of the barbarian tribes. It is generally recognized that by the time of the Great Migration, a heroic epic is already beginning to take shape . The barbarians brought a new look at the perception of the world, based on primitive power, tribal ties, warlike energy, unity with nature and the inseparability of people from the gods.
The early Middle Ages was the beginning of the growth of self-awareness of barbarian peoples. The philosophy of this time gravitates to universalism. Spirit prevails over matter, God prevails over the world.
Oral poetry is developing, especially in the countries of Scandinavia and England.
A special phenomenon of culture was acting. Troubadours - poets who performed their own verses to musical accompaniment - enjoyed fame.
The regulator of the social rhythm of society is the peasantry, which, despite being ignored by the ruling class, in a certain sense dominated the spiritual life of society. The church was not hostile to the peasants, considering poverty an ideal state. Schools of Europe were in the hands of the church, but the level of education was minimal.