"The Dark Ages" is not a synonym for The Middle Ages. It refers to the period of 5th-10th century, when Europe experienced its biggest cultural stagnation. It'

"The Dark Ages" is not a synonym for The Middle Ages. It refers to the period of 5th-10th century, when Europe experienced its biggest cultural stagnation. It's not to say that the rest of The Middle Ages was particularly innovative, but The Dark Ages were the The Middle Ages of The Middle Ages.