Medieval Europe Chapters 1-3 #1A Flashcards
empire
a group of countries controlled by a single authority
At its height, the Roman Empire covered parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia.
decline
gradual loss of importance and power
Enemy attacks weakened the Roman Empire and helped lead to its decline.
invader
a person or group that comes into a country by force
The Huns were invaders who attacked the Roman Empire.
boundary
the edge of a country or of an area; its outside limits
The boundaries of the Roman Empire extended all across Europe.
uncultured
showing poor manners and bad taste; crude
The poor peasant from the village appeared uncultured to the rich merchant in the city of Rome.
uncivilized
not advanced socially or culturally
The Romans tended to think that groups of people who were not Roman were uncivilized.
sack
to destroy and steal things in a city or building, usually with an army
The Germanic groups from northern Europe sacked Rome in the late 400s.
aqueduct
a raised canal that carries water from one place to another
During the Roman Empire, most towns had at least one aqueduct to bring in water.
trade
buying and selling goods among different peoples
Trade between nations is an important way that cultures interact.
merchant
a person who buys and sells goods to earn money
A merchant might sell tomatoes at a market.
artisan
a person with a certain skill in making things
Artisans spend many years studying under a master to learn their skill.
scholar
a person with special knowledge about a subject
In the Middle Ages, some scholars studied ancient texts.
