Unit 3 - Byzantine Empire and European Kingdoms Flashcards
Byzantine Empire
(330-1453) The eastern half of the Roman Empire, which survived after the fall of the Western Empire at the end of the 5th century C.E. Its capital was Constantinople, named after Emperor Constantine.
Constantine
Emperor of Rome who adopted the Christian faith and stopped the persecution of Christians (280-337)
Constantinople
The City was founded as the second capital of the Roman Empire; later became the capital of the Byzantine Empire
Germanic Tribes
Historical groups of people that occupied Central Europe and Scandinavia before and during the early Middle Ages.
Hagia Sophia
the Cathedral of Holy Wisdom in Constantinople, was built by order of the Byzantine emperor Justinian
Emperor Justinian
Byzantine emperor in the 6th century A.D. who reconquered much of the territory previously ruled by Rome, initiated an ambitious building program, including Hagia Sofia, as well as a new legal code
Hippodrome
An ancient Greek stadium used for horse and chariot racing
Justinian Code of Law
A law code created by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian about 530 CE. It was a revision of the old Roman law system.
Theodora
The wife of Justinian, helped to improve the status of women in the Byzantine Empire and encouraged her husband to stay in Constantinople and fight the Nike Revolt.
Eastern Orthodox Church
a Christian religion that developed out of early Christianity in the Byzantine Empire
The Catholic Church
was central to Medieval Europeans’ lives
The Pope
Head of the Roman Catholic Church; In Middle Ages (especially) had a lot of power in Europe.
Iconoclast
A person who attacks cherished beliefs, and traditional institutions. Based on error or superstition.
Excommunication
The taking away of a person’s right of membership in a Christian church (Banishment from the church)
Middle Ages
Also known as the medieval period, the time between the collapse of the Roman Empire in the fifth century AD and the beginning of the Renaissance in the fourteenth century.
Monks
Men who devoted their lives to the church by praying, meditating, and running institutions (like Universities)
Benedictine Monks
were a Roman Catholic Church order of monks who preserved Roman Culture by copying manuscripts.
Charlemagne (Charles the Great)
Frankish Ruler who united Christian (Catholic) Europe under the Holy Roman Empire (760);
Nika Riots
These riots, took place over the course of a week in Constantinople in AD 532. It was the most violent riot that Constantinople had ever seen to that point, with nearly half the city being burned or destroyed and tens of thousands of people killed. It was started by the Blues and Greens during public games. It almost cost Justinian his throne.
Feudalism
A political system in which nobles are granted the use of lands that legally belonged to their king, in exchange for their loyalty, military service, and protection of the people who live on the land
Knights
Someone who promised to support a lord in exchange for land (Vassal)
Manorialism
Pyramid = (top) Pope, King, Lord, Knight, Serf/Peasant (bottom)
Fief
land granted by a lord to a vassal in exchange for loyalty and service
Theme system of the Byzantine empire
made land available to the peasants in return for military service
Aristocracy
the highest class in certain societies, especially those holding hereditary titles or offices.
Feudal contract
under feudalism, the unwritten rules that determined the relationship between a lord and his vassal
Hanseatic League
an organization of north German and Scandinavian cities to establish a commercial alliance.
Illuminated manuscript
a luxurious handmade book with painted illustrations and decorations
Great Schism of 1054
The separation between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church
Guilds
Association of merchants or artisans who cooperated to protect their economic interests
Magna Carta (1215)
An English document drawn up by nobles under King John that limited the power of the king. It influenced later constitutional documents in Britain and America.
Rule of Law
principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern
Parliament
the lawmaking body of the British government
Crusades (1095-1291)
The religious wars between Western Catholic Europe and the Islamic Turks over the holy lands in Jerusalem
Infidel
one who does not accept a particular faith; unbeliever
Chivalry
the medieval knightly system with its religious, moral, and social code.
Serfs
People who gave their land to a lord and offered their servitude in return for protection from the lord.
Why was Constantinople a good location for the capital of the Byzantine Empire?
- Provided a land bridge between Europe & Asia and became a center of trade. 2. Easily defendable from attack due to his geography
What are some achievements of Emperor Justinian?
- Creating a Code of Laws 2. Expanded Byzantine Empire (conquered Italy, Northern Africa, and parts of Spain) 3. Built Hagia Sophia
What were two major changes to the Christian Church between 500 CE and 1500 CE?
- The emergence of an organized Church Hierarchy with the Pope as the head of the Church. 2. The Great Schism of 1054 divided the Christian church into the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church
What are the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Monarchs of Europe in the Middle Ages?
A power struggle between Kings and the Pope & who has the political authority. The Kings are supposed to have political authority and the Pope has religious authority, but it got complicated.
Why did feudalism develop in Europe?
After a breakdown of centralized governmental power, people turned to feudalism for stability, protection from invasion, and social order.
How are serfs and enslaved people different?
Serfs - could not own land; were tied to the manor (did not have freedoms)
Enslaved people - considered forms of property
What is a feudal contract?
Under the feudal contract, the lord had the duty to provide the fief for his vassal, to protect him, and to do him justice in his court. In return, the lord had the right to demand the services attached to the fief (military, judicial, administrative) and a right to various “incomes” known as feudal incidents.
Describe the rise in education in Europe during the Middle Ages.
Schools and Universities created by Catholic Church/monks. Under Charlemagne’s rule more were educated. As more were educated, some began to question the Catholic Church.
Describe the rise of cities in the Middle Ages (Europe).
As trade increased, so did the demand for gold and silver coins, so a money-based economy formed (instead of bartering). Trading companies and banking firms were created to manage the exchange of sales and goods. As all this grew, so did towns and cities.
What were the political and social causes of the crusades? What were the effects of the Crusades?
Western Catholic Europe and the Islamic Turks were fighting over the holy lands in Jerusalem. In the end, there were a lot of deaths because of the massacres but it also made travel and trade more popular.
Justinian Plague
bubonic plague, that killed a ton of people, 10,000 a day at one point in the Byzantine Empire
Explain the Hundred Years War. Who was involved? What was the cause? Impact on Europe
England and France were trying to gain each other’s territory. In the end, England got the island and France got most of Europe.
What were cities like in Middle Ages Europe?
Dirty, smell, full of waste and air pollution. Full of craftspeople (blacksmiths, millers, etc).
