The Darkening Age is a 2017 non‑fiction history book written by British journalist and author Catherine Nixey. Published by Macmillan Publishers in the United Kingdom and by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in the United States, the work examines the transformation of the Roman Empire during Late Antiquity, focusing on the role of early Christians in the systematic destruction of classical Greek and Roman cultural institutions. Nixey argues that Christian authorities and adherents deliberately demolished pagan temples, statues, and libraries, and that this iconoclasm contributed to the loss of classical knowledge and art.
The book traces specific episodes of violence and cultural suppression, including the murder of the philosopher‑mathematician Hypatia in 415 CE, the demolition of pagan statues, the closure of temples, and the burning of literary works. Nixey situates these events within broader religious and political dynamics, suggesting that Christian rhetoric portraying pagan religions as demonic fueled the campaigns of destruction.
The Darkening Age achieved commercial success, becoming an international bestseller and being translated into a dozen languages. It was listed as a New York Times Notable Book of 2018, and the newspaper described it as a “ballista‑bolt of a book.” The work received praise from several scholars and public intellectuals for its narrative style and its challenge to traditional historical narratives that depict the Christianization of the Roman world as largely peaceful.
Criticism of the book has focused on its methodological approach. Some historians of Late Antiquity, including Averil Cameron, have accused Nixey of presenting a polemical and overly simplistic account that exaggerates the extent of Christian suppression of classical culture. Critics note that while instances of iconoclasm and persecution occurred, the broader historical process involved complex interactions between pagan and Christian communities.
Overall, The Darkening Age contributes to ongoing scholarly and public debates about the cultural and religious transformations of Late Antiquity, emphasizing the violent dimensions of early Christian expansion and its impact on the classical heritage of the Mediterranean world.