The Postsacral Period: A Shift Away from Divine Right Monarchy and Towards Secular Governance

Postsacral refers to the period of time after the fall of the Roman Empire and the decline of sacral kingship in Europe. During this time, the idea of divine right monarchy, where kings were seen as chosen by God, began to fade and was replaced by more secular forms of governance. This led to the rise of feudalism and the concept of the nation-state, where power was held by a centralized authority rather than a single ruler.

In terms of art and architecture, the postsacral period saw a shift away from the grandiose and ornate styles of the Roman Empire and towards more simple and functional designs. This can be seen in the use of rounded arches, ribbed vaults, and other features that were more practical and less elaborate than their predecessors.

Overall, the postsacral period was marked by a decline in the influence of religion on political power and a rise in the importance of secular authority. This shift had significant impacts on the development of art, architecture, and governance in Europe and laid the groundwork for many of the political and social structures that we see today.