Post Classical Civilizations Flashcards
What is the Byzantine Empire?
Eastern continuation of the Roman Empire; capital in Constantinople.
What was Kievan Rus?
Early Slavic state influenced by the Byzantine Empire.
Who were the Vikings?
Scandinavian warriors and traders who impacted Eastern Europe.
Who founded Constantinople?
Emperor Constantine.
What is Justinian known for?
Byzantine Emperor; expanded empire and codified Roman law.
What is Justinian’s Code?
Legal system that influenced European law.
What was the capital of the Byzantine Empire?
Constantinople.
What is the dominant faith in the Byzantine Empire and Kievan Rus?
Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
What writing systems were influential in Eastern Europe?
Greek / Cyrillic.
What is the Hagia Sophia?
Monumental church in Constantinople.
Who were Sts. Cyril & Methodius?
Missionaries who created the Cyrillic alphabet.
Who was Oleg the Wise?
Early ruler of Kievan Rus.
Who Christianized Kievan Rus?
Vladimir I.
Who was Yaroslav the Wise?
Strengthened Kievan Rus, promoted law and learning.
What is the Chronicle of Nestor?
Early history of Kievan Rus.
What architectural style influenced Russian architecture?
Byzantine-inspired structures.
What is Pravda Russkia?
First Russian legal code.
What are Mecca and Medina?
Sacred cities in Islam; Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Medina marks the Hijra.
What is a Caliph?
Successor to Muhammad, leader of the Islamic world.
What are the major sects of Islam?
Sunni/Shi’a.
What dynasty expanded Islamic rule and moved the capital to Damascus?
Umayyad Dynasty.
What was the Abbasid Dynasty known for?
Golden Age of Islam, capital in Baghdad.
Who were the Fatimids?
Shi’a dynasty ruling North Africa and parts of the Middle East.
Who were the Seljuks?
Turkish rulers who controlled large parts of the Middle East.
Name three centers of learning and culture in the Islamic world.
- Damascus
- Baghdad
- Cordoba
What was the House of Wisdom?
Intellectual hub in Baghdad.
What was the Translation Movement?
Preserved and translated Greek, Roman, and Persian knowledge.
What is an astrolabe?
Navigational instrument developed by Islamic scholars.
What characterizes the Islamic Golden Age?
Period of scientific, cultural, and economic prosperity.
What is calligraphy in the context of Islamic art?
Prominent Islamic art form.
Who was Ibn Rushd (Averroes)?
Philosopher who integrated Greek thought with Islamic theology.
What does Dhimmi refer to?
Non-Muslims living in Islamic states with certain protections.
What is the Holy Roman Empire?
Loose federation of Germanic states under the Pope’s influence.
What does the term Middle Ages refer to?
Period following the fall of Rome.
What is feudalism?
Political and military system based on land exchange.
What is manorialism?
Economic system where lords provided land and protection to serfs.
What does secular mean?
Non-religious authority.
What does interdependent mean in feudal societies?
Mutual reliance, key in feudal societies.
Who were the Merovingians?
Frankish ruling dynasty.
Who was Clovis?
First Frankish king to convert to Christianity.
What is Charlemagne known for?
Expanded the Frankish kingdom, crowned Holy Roman Emperor.
What is the Holy Roman Empire referred to as?
Multi-ethnic empire in central Europe.
What are the key roles in the feudal system?
- Lord
- Knight
- Serf
What is a vassal?
Noble who pledged loyalty in exchange for land.
What is a fief?
Land granted under feudalism.
What is the dominant religious institution during the Middle Ages?
Catholic Church.
What was the language of the Church and scholarship?
Latin.
Who was Pope Urban II?
Launched the First Crusade.
What was the Council of Clermont?
Gathering that called for the Crusades.
What were the Crusades?
Religious wars between Christians and Muslims.
What was the Battle of Tours?
Frankish victory that stopped Islamic expansion into Europe.
What is the Norse Code?
Viking laws and traditions.
Where was the homeland of the Vikings?
Scandinavia.
What impact did the Vikings have on Europe?
Raided and settled in England, France, and Eastern Europe.
Where did the Vikings explore?
Reached North America (Vinland), Russia, and the Mediterranean.
