Final Flashcards
Iconoclasm
who-initiated by Byzantine emperors and religious leaders who opposed icons; faced resistance from icon supporters, including monks and some church members.
what-the destruction of icon.
when-726-842
where-Byzantine also affected other regions(orthodox)
why- iconoclasts believed that icons violated the commandment of one god. while supporter argued icons were important for worshiping and teaching
Justinian Plague
Who - Devastated the Byzantine Empire’s population
What - likely of bubonic plague, killing one third of the population
When - 541- 542 AD
Where - Spread through Constantinople and the Mediterranean
Why - weakened the empire, causing economic and Military decline
Great schism
who- the split of the roman catholic church and eastern orthodox church.
what-the separation of the Catholic church of the West from the Orthodox churches of the East
when-1054-now
where-Rome and Constantinople
why-this lead to many different agreements on theological, political, and cultural differences.
Spanish reconquest
who-Christian kingdoms of Spain, including Castile, Aragon, and León, against Muslim rule.
what-a series of campaigns by Christian states to recapture territory from the Muslims (Moors)
when-722-1492
where-Spain and Portugal
why-it was to take land from the Muslim and turn them back into believing Christian.
Caliphate Abbasid
who-Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib
what-the dynasty that succeeded the Umayyads and lead a golden age of Islamic culture
when-750-1258 AD
where-Baghdad, in modern Iraq
why-they overthrew the Umayyads; cultural and scientific flourishing, though the caliphate eventually weakened due to internal divisions and invasion, most notable the mongol sack of Baghdad in 1258
second row
Feudalism
who-the king rule but there were layers to the structure
what-a system of political organization..in which a vassal(a holder of land) served a lord and received protection and land in return.
when-9th and 15th centuries
where- France,Spain, Italy,Germany,England
why- Feudalism allowed societies in the Middle Ages to retain a relatively stable political structure even as the centralized power of empires and kingdoms began to dissolve.
Carolingian renaissance
who-Charlemagne
what-A cultural and intellectual revival during the reign of Charlemagne.
when-mid-8th to the 9th century.
where-multi lands in Europe
why-Charlemagne sought to strengthen his empire by reviving learning and Christian culture, and fostering a renaissance of education.
Scriptorium
Who: Monks, scribes, and scholars in medieval monasteries.
What: A room or space in a monastery dedicated to copying manuscripts and religious texts by hand.
When: 6th to 15th centuries.
Where: Found in monasteries across Europe, especially during the Carolingian and medieval periods.
Why: preserving and transmitting religious, scholarly, and legal texts, particularly before the invention of the printing press; key role in the spread of knowledge.
Crusades
Who: European Christians and Muslim states
What: Military campaigns to reclaim the Holy Land
When: 1096–1291 CE
Where: Middle East (primarily Jerusalem and surrounding areas)
Why: Aimed to recover Christian holy sites, combat Muslim expansion, and unite Christendom under papal authority.
Ottonian Renaissance
Who - Otto the Great
What - a period of reestablished education and learning
When - 936-973 AD
Where - central and southern Europe
Why - this period is important because it stressed education like Charlemange did and he used the church to do it
third row
Serfs
Who: Peasant farmers tied to landowners.
What: Laborers bound to work the lord’s land in exchange for protection.
When: Early Middle Ages in Europe to mid 19th
Where: predominantly in rural europe, france and england
Why: Ensured agricultural productivity while offering protection during times of instability.
Interdict
Who: Popes and rulers
What: Suspension of Church services in a region
When: 12th- 1606
Where: imposed on regions like england and france
Why: Pressured rulers by suspending religious services, causing public unrest.
Transubstantiation
Who: Catholic theologians
What: Doctrine that bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ
When: Formalized in 1215 CE
Where: defined in theological centers like paris and rome
Why: Clarified Catholic teaching on the Eucharist, emphasizing Christ’s real presence.
Circuit Court
Who: Judges
What: Traveling courts handling royal cases
When: 12th century onward
Where: originated in england and later adopted elsewhere
Why: Ensured consistent royal justice and reduced local corruption.
Investiture Controversy
Who: Pope Gregory VII and Emperor Henry IV
What: Conflict over lay investiture
When: 1075–1122 CE
Where: Holy Roman Empire, rome, and neighboring kingdoms
Why: Resolved the power struggle between Church and state, affirming Church authority.
