TED-Ed: 6 myths about the Middle Ages that everyone believes | Stephanie Honchell Smith

The video debunks common myths about the Middle Ages, such as the belief in a flat Earth, the consumption of rotten meat, and the use of torture devices like the Iron Maiden. It clarifies that medieval people were not as ignorant or unhygienic as often portrayed. The Middle Ages were a time of increasing literacy and preserved ancient knowledge. Misconceptions arose from later periods, influenced by biases and romanticized views. The video emphasizes that the Middle Ages were not a single cohesive period but a complex era with diverse interactions and developments.

What is a common misconception about medieval Europeans' understanding of the Earth?

• They believed the Earth was hollow.

• They thought the Earth was a triangle.

• They believed the Earth was flat.

• They thought the Earth was a cube.

How did medieval Europeans typically preserve their meat?

• By boiling it in vinegar.

• By curing it with salt.

• By freezing it.

• By drying it in the sun.

Which of the following was NOT a real medieval torture device?

• The Stocks

• The Pillory

• The Rack

• The Iron Maiden

What was a common misconception about medieval hygiene?

• People bathed in rivers only.

• People bathed only once a year.

• People used perfumes instead of bathing.

• People never bathed.

How did Enlightenment thinkers typically view the Middle Ages?

• As a period of superstition and irrationality.

• As a time of great scientific advancement.

• As a golden age of art and culture.

• As an era of peace and prosperity.