Chapter 10 Vocab Flashcards
Aristotle and classical Greek learning
Some works of the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 B.C.E.) beginning in the eleventh century, medieval thought was increasingly shaped by a great recovery of Aristotle’s works and a fascination with other Greek authors
Byzantine Empire
Surviving eastern Roman Empire during the medieval centuries; named after the ancient Greek city Byzantium, on the site of which the Roman emperor Constantine founded a new capital, Constantinople, in 330 C.E.
Caesaropapism
A political-religious system in which the secular ruler is also head of the religious establishment, Byzantine Empire.
Charlemagne
Ruler of the Carolingian Empire (r. 768-814) who staged an imperial revival in Western Europe.
Christianity, Eastern Orthodox
Developed in the eastern part of the Roman Empire ; noted for the subordination of the Church to political authorities, a married clergy, the use of leavened bread in the Eucharist, and insistence on church councils as the ultimate authority in Christian belief and practice.
Christianity, Roman Catholic
Western European branch of Christianity “Roman Catholic”
Constantinople
New capital for the eastern half of the Roman Empire, established by Emperor Constantine in 330 C.E. on the site of the ancient Greek city of Byzantium; Constantinople’s highly defensible and economically important site helped assure the city’s cultural and strategic importance for many centuries.
Crusades
Modern term meaning “ventures of the cross,” used to describe the “holy wars” waged by Western Christendom from 1095 until the end of the Middle Ages and beyond; Crusades could only be declared by the pope and were marked by participants swearing a vow and receiving an indulgence in return.
European cities
Western Europe saw a major process of urbanization beginning in the eleventh century, with towns that created major trade networks and that were notable for the high degree of independence they often enjoyed.
Greek fire
Form of liquid fire that could be sprayed at the enemy; invented by the Byzantines and very important in their efforts to halt the Arab advance into Byzantine territory.
Guild
An association formed by people pursuing the same line of work that regulated their professions; it also provided a social and religious network for members.
Holy Roman Empire
Term invented in the twelfth century to describe the Germany-based empire founded by Otto I in 962 C.E.
the West as a “hybrid civilization”
The distinctive path of Western Europe in the centuries following the fall of the western Roman Empire, leading to a society that included elements of ancient Rome, the practices of Germanic invaders who formed new states, Christianity, and elements of pre-Roman culture that still survived.
iconoclasm
The destruction of holy images; a term most often used to describe the Byzantine state policy of image destruction from 726 to 843.
indulgence
A remission of the penalty (penance) for confessed sin that could be granted only by a pope, at first to Crusaders and later for a variety of reasons.
