Middle Ages Study Guide Flashcards
Where is the Eastern Roman Empire located?
Middle East and parts of North Africa, on the Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea, and sits on a strait
What connection did the Byzantine Empire have with the Roman Empire?
Carried forward their government ideas and culturally viewed themselves as the continuation of the Roman Empire
What was the significance of Constantinople’s location?
Good for trade, promoting cultural diffusion and diversity
Who was Emperor Justinian?
- Took over early in the Byzantine Empire
- Built the Hagia Sophia and Hippodrome
- Reclaimed North Africa and the Italian peninsula
What was the Nika Rebellion?
Response to high taxation by Justinian; quelled when Justinian had the rebels killed in the Hippodrome
What is the Hagia Sophia?
Largest church building at the time, with massive dome ceilings, Christian symbols, and a symbol of wealth
What was the Justinian Code?
Legal code of the Byzantine Empire that provided centralized government and clear laws
What is Eastern Orthodox Christianity?
A branch of Christianity with the Byzantine emperor at the top, and a patriarch in charge of the church
What caused the schism in Christianity?
Political divide between the Byzantine emperor and the pope regarding authority
Who are the Slavs?
People who lived in early Russia, north of the Byzantine Empire and south of Nordic Vikings
What influence did the Byzantine Empire have on early Russia?
Tremendous cultural influence, including architecture, alphabet, and religion
What is the Cyrillic Alphabet?
A derivative of the early Byzantine empire alphabet
Who was Vladimir?
Brought Eastern Christianity to Russia and unified his people by converting them
What did Yaroslav the Wise do for early Russia?
Brought written laws and property laws to legitimize Russia
What caused the decline of Kiev?
Raided by Mongolians, leading to destruction and looting
What was the impact of the Mongols on Russia?
Destroyed the Russian economy, isolated them from trade, and set them behind by 300 years
What was the significance of Moscow during the rise of power in Russia?
Became the center of power after the Mongols moved the center from Kiev
Who was Alexander Nevsky?
Russian nobleman who quelled rebellion against the Mongols
What did Ivan III declare himself?
Czar (Caesar) after defeating the Mongols and establishing a centralized government
What are the Middle Ages also known as?
Dark Ages, Age of Feudalism, and Age of Faith
What was the impact of the fall of Rome?
Disruption of trade, downfall of cities, population shifts, decline of learning, loss of common language
What characterized the government during the early Middle Ages?
Decentralized government with lords and vassals
How did Christianity impact the Middle Ages?
Served as a unifying force, provided moral code, and involved in political affairs
Who were the Franks?
Germanic tribe that invaded Gaul and settled there, eventually converting to Christianity
What was the significance of the Battle of Tours?
Affirmed Christianity as the religion of Europe, led by Charles Martel
Who was Charlemagne?
Peppin’s son, attempted to unify Western Europe and was named emperor by the pope
What led to the rise of feudalism?
Viking invasions drove peasants to seek protection from lords
What is manorialism?
The economic side of feudalism, a self-sufficient system where a manor includes everything for survival
Who is at the top of the feudal society pyramid?
King and Queen
Who are vassals in feudal society?
Lords who have sworn loyalty to a higher authority
What role do bishops play in feudal society?
Advisors to kings and political figures in the church
What is the role of knights?
Serve their lords, own land, and are professional soldiers
What are fiefs?
Land given by the king
What is a manor?
The estate where a noble lives
What is the structure of the church?
Pope, Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, and Monks
What are some reasons for the church’s power and influence?
Canon Law, Lay Investiture, Showdown at Canossa, Simony
What are the styles of cathedrals?
Romanesque and Gothic
