> I have to say, I don't care for the modern fashion for abolishing all
> dark ages. Suddenly Visigothic Spain is distinguished by the title
> late antique. Some periods were less urbanized, less literate, and
> less artistically cultured than others. Just as some cultures are
> today. I don't know why this should be surprising since scarcely
> anyone would deny these same distinctions amongst individuals. The
> debate should then be shifted to precisely *which* periods were the
> darker ones.
--Because, of course, the universal, transcendent criteria for jugding cultural periods is self-evident--and if you have any questions, just ask Somebody Somebody!
Miles