Medieval History - SG 3 Flashcards
What is a caliph?
religious and political leader (like a king), defender of the faith - preserving the purity of the religion
What is a caliphate?
the governing body under the caliph
What are the umma?
the people of the empire - regular Muslims
What is the difference between the Abbasid Caliphate and the Umayyad Caliphate/
The Umayyad believed that the leader (caliph) could be elected from the people while the Abbasid believed that the leader needed to come from Muhammad’s clan. They also believed that the teachings needed to be restored to a pure state because the Umayyad caliphs were more politicians than worshippers. Some Arabs believed that their military fortunes would return when a true descendant from Muhammad’s clan would become caliph. Therefore, Abu al-Abbas, the descendant of Ali, was appointed in place of Marwan.
How did the Abbasid Caliphate come into being?
al-Abbas vs. Marwan east of Tigris in 750, Umayyads were scattered, hunted down by al-Abbas, Marwan eventually found and killed, Abd ar-Rahman managed to survive the slaughter as heir to the Umayyad, rest of Umayyad family said to be granted amnesty if they would declare allegiance to al-Abbas at feast - 90 killed instead
What city did the Abbasids make into their capital? Why did they choose this city?
They chose Baghdad because it was a strategic location on the Tigris to build trade and wealth. Also central to empire. Done by al-Mansur.
By the late 700’s how far into India were the Arabs able to conquer?
NW India, Indus River
What Muslim kingdom was the first to operate independent of any caliphate?
Cordoba in the region of Al-Andalus, modern day Spain when claimed by ar-Rahman
Describe the dispute between Pope Gregory the Second and Emperor Leo the Third. Explain the positions.
Pope: emperor does not have any rule in the church, only politics (for icons)
Leo: since emperor, could rule all people, glory and power should be given to him (against icons), form of idolatry
Both felt like keepers of the church as if God had given them a right to rule in keeping the church pure and solving doctrinal issues (emperor - Constantine and Council of Nicea)
Ending: church split, Leo broke icons in certain churches, threw out bishops under his authority who did not agree with him, hired people who shared his views
What is icon veneration? How is this said to be different than the worship of icons? Why do many Protestant Christians agree?
icon veneration- showing respect to an individual who is no longer alive
worship- idolatry, praying to icons to talk to the person (saint) on behalf of them
too much similarity
In what ways did the Abbasid caliph Al-Mansur become more emperor and less spiritual leader?
- fought ar-Rahman when he claimed his power back in Al-Andalus and became the emir
- killed any Shi’a leaders who refused to support the Abbasid
- spies throughout empire, tortured and executed enemies/captives
- large home that was extravagant for him and family
Describe the development of the Papal States. What is a Papal State?
papal state: territory under the direct sovereign rule of the Pope
- Byzantine territories tried to take away icons, citizens rebelled
- Lombards then attacked these weakened territories and won
- Byzantium tried to bribe the Lombard king to assassinate the Pope but he refused
- offered land won over to Pope in exchange for quite a bit of money
- Pope Gregory then gets his own land to rule
How did Pepin become the king of the Franks? Who was the Pope at that time?
Pepin and Carleman originally elect Childeric, the last of the Merovingian line, to be king. Meanwhile, Carleman leaves to become a monk. Pepin becomes the only mayor then volunteers himself as king when he writes a letter to the Pope, asking, “Is it proper for an earthly king to have no power?” The Pope responds with a no. Pepin sends Childeric to monastery with head shaven. (kings usually have long, glorious hair but at monasteries, their heads are shaven so that no barrier may remain between your thoughts and God. Pope Zachary, Gregory the Third’s successor
How were the Papal States restored and expanded under the rule of Pepin? How does the “Donation of Constantine” make contribution towards the establishment of the Papal States?
The Lombards were taking land from the Byzantine Empire. Pope Stephen needed protection. Sent a forged document of the “Donation of Constantine” that was supposedly recovered by the church. It said Constantine dealt with leprosy and the pope cured him and gave him the kingship. The pope also helped Pepin become the king. In return, the pope asks for protection. Although Pepin knew it was a forgery, he protected the pope anyways by giving him land (the papal states)
What is the meaning of Pepin’s chrismation by the Pope? What is gained by the Pope in a chrismation? Why would the emperor allow himself to be anointed in this way?
- anointed in holy water with purest oil and balsim, sacred oil passed through every cell, given to special people including priests and bishops. said to give them power to preach gospel
- Pope gained power through say in who was going to be the next emperor
- emperor allowed it because it meant he was “blessed by God”, giving right to rule through anointing which also gives him power
