“People in the Middle Ages believed the Earth was flat.”

The widespread notion that medieval Europeans believed the Earth was a flat disc is a persistent historical error, often termed the 'flat-Earth error.' This misconception largely gained traction in the 19th century, propagated by figures who aimed to criticize pre-modern civilization and religious institutions. They used the idea of a flat Earth belief to portray earlier eras as intellectually backward, contrasting them with the scientific advancements of their own time.

In truth, the concept of a spherical Earth was widely accepted among scholars and educated people throughout the Middle Ages. This understanding wasn't new; it was a continuation of knowledge inherited from ancient Greek thinkers. Key figures like Aristotle had already provided evidence for a spherical Earth centuries before the Middle Ages, and this knowledge was preserved and discussed in medieval texts and universities. There was no widespread belief in a flat Earth among the learned during this period.

The myth's endurance can be attributed to its effectiveness as a rhetorical device. It serves as a convenient caricature of past ignorance, allowing modern narratives to emphasize progress by exaggerating the supposed intellectual shortcomings of earlier times. This narrative was particularly appealing during periods of intense scientific and social change, making it a difficult misconception to dislodge from popular culture. It's a prime example of how historical inaccuracies can be used to serve contemporary arguments.