Chapter 5 Flashcards
What year did the Fall of Rome occur?
476 CE
What was the Byzantine Empire?
Continuation of the Roman Empire in the East, centered in Constantinople, lasting until 1453 CE
Who was Justinian I?
Byzantine emperor who codified Roman law (Justinian’s Code) and built the Hagia Sophia
What is the Hagia Sophia known for?
A grand church in Constantinople, later a mosque, known for its massive dome and mosaics
What was the Iconoclasm Controversy?
A Byzantine dispute over the use of religious images (icons), leading to their destruction in some periods
Who was Charlemagne?
King of the Franks who expanded his empire, promoted education, and was crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 800 CE
What is the Carolingian Renaissance?
A revival of learning and culture under Charlemagne, influenced by classical Roman and Christian traditions
Define Feudalism.
A medieval social and political system based on land ownership, loyalty, and military service
What are lords and vassals in the feudal system?
Lords granted land (fiefs) to vassals in exchange for military service
What is a fief?
A piece of land granted by a lord to a vassal in the feudal system
Who were serfs?
Peasants tied to the land under feudalism, working for a lord in exchange for protection
What is the Manor System?
The economic structure of feudal society, where lords owned estates worked by peasants and serfs
Define Chivalry.
The code of conduct for medieval knights, emphasizing bravery, honor, and protection of the weak
What is The Song of Roland?
An epic poem celebrating chivalry and loyalty among Charlemagne’s knights
Who were the Vikings?
Norse seafarers who raided and traded across Europe, influencing medieval culture
What was the Norman Conquest?
The invasion of England by William the Conqueror, leading to the establishment of Norman rule in 1066
Who was William the Conqueror?
Duke of Normandy who became King of England after winning the Battle of Hastings in 1066
What is the Domesday Book?
A detailed survey of England’s land and property, commissioned by William the Conqueror
Define Monasticism.
A religious lifestyle in which individuals withdraw from society to dedicate themselves to prayer and service
What is the Benedictine Rule?
Guidelines for monastic life established by St. Benedict, emphasizing discipline, prayer, and work
What are Illuminated Manuscripts?
Handwritten books decorated with elaborate designs, produced by medieval monks
Who was Hildegard of Bingen?
A medieval abbess, composer, and visionary known for her contributions to music, medicine, and theology
What is a pilgrimage?
A religious journey to a sacred site, such as Canterbury, Santiago de Compostela, or Jerusalem
Define Romanesque Architecture.
A medieval architectural style characterized by thick walls, rounded arches, and small windows
What is The Bayeux Tapestry?
A medieval embroidery depicting the Norman conquest of England in 1066
What were the Crusades?
A series of religious wars between Christians and Muslims over control of the Holy Land
What was the First Crusade?
A successful military campaign that led to the capture of Jerusalem by Christian forces (1096-1099)
Who was Saladin?
A Muslim leader who recaptured Jerusalem from the Crusaders in 1187
What were the Knights Templar?
A military-religious order founded during the Crusades to protect Christian pilgrims
Who were troubadours?
Medieval poet-musicians who sang about chivalry and courtly love
Who was Eleanor of Aquitaine?
A powerful medieval queen who promoted the ideals of courtly love and supported the arts
What are the Trivium and Quadrivium?
The two branches of medieval education; trivium included grammar, logic, and rhetoric; quadrivium covered arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy
Define Scholasticism.
A medieval intellectual movement that sought to reconcile faith and reason, associated with Thomas Aquinas
What was the Investiture Controversy?
A conflict between the Pope and Holy Roman Emperors over the appointment of bishops
What was the Great Schism of 1054?
The division between the Roman Catholic Church (West) and the Eastern Orthodox Church (East)
What is Canon Law?
The body of laws governing the Catholic Church
What are relics?
Sacred objects associated with saints, often housed in elaborate reliquaries
What was The Inquisition?
A Church institution that sought to combat heresy through investigation and punishment
Define Mysticism.
A religious movement emphasizing personal experiences of God, often through visions or ecstasies
What does the transition to Gothic architecture reflect?
Changing religious and cultural ideals
What is Papal Supremacy?
The doctrine that the Pope has ultimate authority over the Church and secular rulers
What is the Franciscan Order?
A religious order founded by St. Francis of Assisi, emphasizing poverty and service to the poor
What is the Dominican Order?
A religious order founded by St. Dominic, focusing on preaching and combating heresy
What are The Canterbury Tales?
A collection of stories by Geoffrey Chaucer, offering insight into medieval life and society
What was the Magna Carta?
A charter limiting the power of the English king and establishing legal rights for nobles (1215)
What was the Black Death?
A devastating plague that killed a third of Europe’s population and changed social structures (1347-1351)
What institutions shaped medieval Europe?
Feudalism, monasticism, and Church authority shaped medieval Europe but gradually gave way to Renaissance humanism
