Dark Ages

Compared to our civilization and culture, the Romans didn't seem very advanced. However, when the Huns, Goths, and Vandals overran the Western Roman Empire, all that was possible from education, technology, progress, government, and society disappeared under a blanket of devastation and anarchy. Those who remained dedicated their entire lives to staying alive. No leisure, no education, no amusement, nothing but struggle--all characteristics that do not help humans progress toward civilization.

In our history, the advantages of civilization were preserved by monasteries, groups of religous who strove to recover the cultural heritage that had been erased. The abbey of Leibowitz has a similar undertaking in Miller's story and the abbey of Liebowitz becomes the focal point for civilization's resurgence as it climbs back to dangerous technology.

Look at the spectrum of the Middle Ages which began with what our culture calls the Dark Ages.