From the history of science communication: Western European science communication in the Early Middle Ages (Part 1)

Abstract

The article is dedicated to the history of the development of Western European science communication during the Early Middle Ages (V – mid-11th century). The paper provides a periodization of the Middle Ages, analyses the changes in the political map of Western Europe of the considered historical period, shows the stabilization of the political situation in Western Europe by the middle of the 11th century, provides maps of Europe in the middle of the 6th century and in the middle of the 9th century. The formation of the culture of Western Europe during the Early Middle Ages is described. The development of the system of Western European education in the studied epoch is analyzed, the continuity between the Roman school and the school of the Early Middle Ages is shown. The general patterns of development of science during the Early Middle Ages are outlined. The paper analyses the peculiarities of participation in science communication of Martianus Capella, an encyclopaedic writer, philosopher, rhetorician and one of the creators of the system of seven "free arts", which became the basis of education in the Middle Ages. The article also examines the involvement of the famous Roman philosopher and statesman Severinus Boethius, among the most revered teachers of the Middle Ages, whose treatises on arithmetic and music, works on logic and theology, and translations of Aristotle’s logical works became the foundation of the medieval system of education and philosophy.