Societal regression and the concept of new medievalism

Commentary explores the parallels between the medieval era and modern societal trends, suggesting a potential for progressive regression. The medieval period is characterized by a duality: while much of the population faced extreme hardship, including violent crime, deadly plagues, and poor urban sanitation, it was also a time of significant intellectual and technological advancement among elites.

Notable achievements of the era included the development of windmills, mechanical clocks, and eyeglasses, alongside the production of sophisticated weaponry and large-scale maritime vessels. The period also produced enduring literary works such as Dante’s ‘Divine Comedy’, Chaucer’s ‘Canterbury Tales’, and Thomas Aquinas’s ‘Summa Theologiae’. Furthermore, the era is marked by monumental architectural feats, such as the cathedrals in Cologne, Florence, Milan, Paris, Rome, and Seville, as well as the Hagia Sophia.