Affluence

Rather than the destitute times for which they are reputed, the “Dark Ages” may actually have been an era of great affluence. NPR correspondent Adam Davidson remarks, “These early Medieval folks who we’ve all pitied all these years, so broke and alone — they were rich”. Media Theorist Douglas Rushkoff asserts that “population and wealth went up, work hours went down. Height and health went up, death and taxes went down”. Even the bubonic plague did not arrive until the Renaissance began.

Affluence (pronounced “AF-loo-əns”)

1. *A plentiful supply of material goods; wealth.
2. A great quantity; an abundance.
3. A flowing to or toward a point; afflux.

Etymology

From Old French affluence, which came from Latin affluere, meaning “to flow”. The usage towards wealth came from the notion of “a plentiful flow”.  Affluere also brings us “confluent“.

Synonyms

prosperity, abundance, opulence, copiousness, plenitude

Sources

NPR: In Dark Ages… |   Douglas Rushkoff: In Defense of the Dark Ages