The medieval period is also commonly referred to as the Middle Ages.
This era spans roughly from the 5th to the late 15th century, marking the time between the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the beginning of the Renaissance. The term ‘Middle Ages’ signifies that this period was once viewed as a time of stagnation and cultural decline between the classical antiquity of Greece and Rome and the revival of art and learning during the Renaissance. However, modern historians recognize that the Middle Ages were a dynamic and transformative time, rich in developments in art, architecture, philosophy, and society.