Post Classical Civilizations

Question 1

What is the Byzantine Empire?

Answer 1

Eastern continuation of the Roman Empire; capital in Constantinople.

Question 2

What was Kievan Rus?

Answer 2

Early Slavic state influenced by the Byzantine Empire.

Question 3

Who were the Vikings?

Answer 3

Scandinavian warriors and traders who impacted Eastern Europe.

Question 4

Who founded Constantinople?

Answer 4

Emperor Constantine.

Question 5

What is Justinian known for?

Answer 5

Byzantine Emperor; expanded empire and codified Roman law.

Question 6

What is Justinian’s Code?

Answer 6

Legal system that influenced European law.

Question 7

What was the capital of the Byzantine Empire?

Answer 7

Constantinople.

Question 8

What is the dominant faith in the Byzantine Empire and Kievan Rus?

Answer 8

Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

Question 9

What writing systems were influential in Eastern Europe?

Answer 9

Greek / Cyrillic.

Question 10

What is the Hagia Sophia?

Answer 10

Monumental church in Constantinople.

Question 11

Who were Sts. Cyril & Methodius?

Answer 11

Missionaries who created the Cyrillic alphabet.

Question 12

Who was Oleg the Wise?

Answer 12

Early ruler of Kievan Rus.

Question 13

Who Christianized Kievan Rus?

Answer 13

Vladimir I.

Question 14

Who was Yaroslav the Wise?

Answer 14

Strengthened Kievan Rus, promoted law and learning.

Question 15

What is the Chronicle of Nestor?

Answer 15

Early history of Kievan Rus.

Question 16

What architectural style influenced Russian architecture?

Answer 16

Byzantine-inspired structures.

Question 17

What is Pravda Russkia?

Answer 17

First Russian legal code.

Question 18

What are Mecca and Medina?

Answer 18

Sacred cities in Islam; Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Medina marks the Hijra.

Question 19

What is a Caliph?

Answer 19

Successor to Muhammad, leader of the Islamic world.

Question 20

What are the major sects of Islam?

Answer 20

Sunni/Shi’a.

Question 21

What dynasty expanded Islamic rule and moved the capital to Damascus?

Answer 21

Umayyad Dynasty.

Question 22

What was the Abbasid Dynasty known for?

Answer 22

Golden Age of Islam, capital in Baghdad.

Question 23

Who were the Fatimids?

Answer 23

Shi’a dynasty ruling North Africa and parts of the Middle East.

Question 24

Who were the Seljuks?

Answer 24

Turkish rulers who controlled large parts of the Middle East.

Question 25

Name three centers of learning and culture in the Islamic world.

Answer 25

* Damascus * Baghdad * Cordoba

Question 26

What was the House of Wisdom?

Answer 26

Intellectual hub in Baghdad.

Question 27

What was the Translation Movement?

Answer 27

Preserved and translated Greek, Roman, and Persian knowledge.

Question 28

What is an astrolabe?

Answer 28

Navigational instrument developed by Islamic scholars.

Question 29

What characterizes the Islamic Golden Age?

Answer 29

Period of scientific, cultural, and economic prosperity.

Question 30

What is calligraphy in the context of Islamic art?

Answer 30

Prominent Islamic art form.

Question 31

Who was Ibn Rushd (Averroes)?

Answer 31

Philosopher who integrated Greek thought with Islamic theology.

Question 32

What does Dhimmi refer to?

Answer 32

Non-Muslims living in Islamic states with certain protections.

Question 33

What is the Holy Roman Empire?

Answer 33

Loose federation of Germanic states under the Pope’s influence.

Question 34

What does the term Middle Ages refer to?

Answer 34

Period following the fall of Rome.

Question 35

What is feudalism?

Answer 35

Political and military system based on land exchange.

Question 36

What is manorialism?

Answer 36

Economic system where lords provided land and protection to serfs.

Question 37

What does secular mean?

Answer 37

Non-religious authority.

Question 38

What does interdependent mean in feudal societies?

Answer 38

Mutual reliance, key in feudal societies.

Question 39

Who were the Merovingians?

Answer 39

Frankish ruling dynasty.

Question 40

Who was Clovis?

Answer 40

First Frankish king to convert to Christianity.

Question 41

What is Charlemagne known for?

Answer 41

Expanded the Frankish kingdom, crowned Holy Roman Emperor.

Question 42

What is the Holy Roman Empire referred to as?

Answer 42

Multi-ethnic empire in central Europe.

Question 43

What are the key roles in the feudal system?

Answer 43

* Lord * Knight * Serf

Question 44

What is a vassal?

Answer 44

Noble who pledged loyalty in exchange for land.

Question 45

What is a fief?

Answer 45

Land granted under feudalism.

Question 46

What is the dominant religious institution during the Middle Ages?

Answer 46

Catholic Church.

Question 47

What was the language of the Church and scholarship?

Answer 47

Latin.

Question 48

Who was Pope Urban II?

Answer 48

Launched the First Crusade.

Question 49

What was the Council of Clermont?

Answer 49

Gathering that called for the Crusades.

Question 50

What were the Crusades?

Answer 50

Religious wars between Christians and Muslims.

Question 51

What was the Battle of Tours?

Answer 51

Frankish victory that stopped Islamic expansion into Europe.

Question 52

What is the Norse Code?

Answer 52

Viking laws and traditions.

Question 53

Where was the homeland of the Vikings?

Answer 53

Scandinavia.

Question 54

What impact did the Vikings have on Europe?

Answer 54

Raided and settled in England, France, and Eastern Europe.

Question 55

Where did the Vikings explore?

Answer 55

Reached North America (Vinland), Russia, and the Mediterranean.