Out of the Dark Ages
Byzantine, Gothic, and Romanesque Arts
Forms of the Middle Ages
Periods of the Middle Ages:
• This era was divided into 3 periods
with unique style:
• 1. Byzantine
• 2. Romanesque
• 3. Gothic
The Middle Ages
• This period begins
around 500 A.D.
• It is known by
several names:
Middle Ages,
Medieval Times, and
the Dark Ages
• This period begins
when the Roman
Empire falls to
invading Muslim
armies around A.D.
400.
Why call it the Middle Ages (or Dark
Ages)?
• This time period consisted of a “dark” moment
in the arts – there was no to minimal
flourishment with visual art, drama, dance,
and music.
• The reasoning behind this was due to the fact
that the Roman Catholic Church had control
over the arts – to go against them could result
in Excommunication or death.
The Power of the Church:
Why was the church so powerful?
• 1. It owned land. The church owned many large
areas of farmland. People who grew crops on this
land had to give 1/10 of everything they grew to the
church. This was called a tithe. This was a lot of crops
for many poor people to lose.
• 2. It controlled people’s beliefs. The church told
people that when they died, their souls lived on
forever, either in Heaven or in Hell. Hell – great pain
and suffering; Heaven – wonderful beyond
imagination; Purgatory – in between; they would stay
until any sins had been burnt away.
The Power of the Church
• 3. It was rich. Many tried to buy their way into
heaven, because the church said that you could
shorten your stay in Purgatory by doing several
things: Attend church and live a good life; go on a
pilgrimage; buy a special pardon. These pardons
were also known as indulgences.
• 4. It was not controlled by the King. Church –
Roman Catholic and led by the Pope. King could not
tell anyone from the church what to do. If any crimes
were committed, could not be tried in normal court –
worst punishment – Excommunication – banishment
from the church.
The Byzantine Empire
• After the fall of Rome, the Byzantine Empire
ruled the east for more than 1,000 years.
• The art forms of this time is known for crude
but emotionally powerful icons – Christ, the
Saints, Madonna & Child.
Byzantine Music
• Byzantine music was
usually sacred and had its
roots in Greek, Syrian, and
Hebrew music.
• The main instruments in
this music were the kithara,
the aulos, and the organ.
• The words, based on the
Bible, were chanted in free
rhythm. They were
performed in Greek.
When the Music Stopped
• Musical activity stopped
with the fall of
Constantinople in 1453.
• Russian and Gregorian
Chant, as well the music
of the modern-day
Greek Orthodox Church,
are all related to this art
form.
More About Gregorian Chants
• During the early Middle Ages people had not yet
developed a way to coordinate different instruments
and melodies.
• Their music was monophonic.
• Monophony consisted of a single melodic line
without accompaniment (no harmony).
• Only vocal melodies.
• Gregorian Chants utilized monophony in their
composition – this is the simplest type of musical
organization – everyone singing the same tune.
Even More About Gregorian Chants
• Most early Christian
churches used much of the
music from the Jewish
synagogues.
• This is called Gregorian
Chants, because the 1st
standard collection of
chants was thought to be
ordered by Pope Gregory I.
• Preserved and developed
mainly by monks in
monasteries.
The Beginning of Polyphony
• Later, a way to notate music was
developed and then composers
ventured into the use of polyphony.
• Polyphony literally means “many
sounds”.
Music in Medieval Life
• Music of the common
people consisted of folk
songs and dances.
• Entertainment and church
ceremonies.
• Public concerts did NOT
exist in the Middle Ages.
• Church polyphonies (a
combo of different
melodies) were only
performed in cathedrals,
monasteries, and royal
chapels.
Jongleur
• The Jongleur, the Court Jester,
the Fool...these are all names of
the same occupation.
• The Jongleur was the main
entertainment, usually during a
large banquet that could last for
days.
• Let's face it...you would get
really bored after sitting at a
table for more than a few hours.
So the Jongleurs would come
and dance around, juggle, and
put on a show.
• They would tell jokes, jump
around, and would juggle many
different items, including balls,
rings, clubs, and fire.
Medieval Dance
• Aka “Dark Ages”, “Middle Ages”
• Arts were only allowed when attached to religion
during Medieval Period
• In the beginning, moving the body was considered
sinful and prideful and so it was banned in many areas
• Later, churches accepted dance with these guidelines:
men and women dance side to side (never facing)
dancing in long lines with only finger tips that touched
called a “processional.”
2 Types of Dances during the Dark
Ages
• Farandole: early line dance, moved all around
the floor
• Tarantella: pagan dance
– If you were bitten by a tarantula, you were to
dance this and gradually get faster so the poison
would be worked out of your body.
– Others would join forming a circle
ORQ Sample
• During the Medieval Era, dance was an art
form that was usually banned from
communities.
– A – Explain why dance was generally prohibited
during the Medieval Era
– B – Describe a specific example of one type of
dance that, as an exception, was allowed during
the Medieval Era.
– C – Explain why this type of dance was allowed.
Some Options for Answers…
• Dancing was forbidden by the church in the
dark ages. However, the church developed
guidelines that allowed some dances to be
performed.