Unit 7, The Middle Ages Flashcards
What led Kiev to adopt Orthodox Christianity as the religion of the Russian Empire?
Princess Olga visited a beautiful church and thought that it must be the best religion ever. She converted to Christianity and tried to convert others. Her grandson Vladimir sent missionaries everywhere to find a religion for Russia. They decided on christianity. It was eventually used as the nations religion. All kievans baptized in dneiper River
Discuss the lasting legacy of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian.
Created Justinian’s code of laws that governed Byzantine empire for 900 years. Builds libraries, schools, and the hippodrome. His wife Theodore was his advisor, happy wife happy life, he always listened to her. She wanted riders in hypocrite dead, he killed them
- Why was Genghis Khan such a military genius and great conqueror?
He was a brilliant strategist. Rape was a tool of war. He adopted the other teams tactics. He would send out a few people and then when the other army advanced. They attacked with full force. They ended up creating the largest unified empire in all of history. They invented the stirrups and could shoot bows and ride horses very well. They also had the saddle and could ride for around 10 days.
- Who was Charlemagne and why was he such a renowned leader?
Charlemagne was the son of Pepin, and the brother of carloman. Charlemagne conquered the Saxons and franks. Then he went to war against the Lombards. He was famous for leading annual summer attacks. One year he was given the task of helping the pope. He defeated the popes enemy and in return is given the title of emporer. He strengthened his rule by limiting the power of the nobles.
- When and where did the fleur-de-lis originate? What was the story behind it and where can we see it today?
The fleur dis lis has no specific origin. One myth says that in (481-511 ) Mary appears to Charlemagne before a battle and gives him a lily. The lily supposedly came from Marie’s tears at the crucifixion. The lily is a symbol of purity. This is meant to represent that. It was adopted as a symbol of France. The French moved to New Orleans so yeah. Also when Leo 3 crowned Charlemagne emperor, he may have draped a cloak around him covered in these.
- How did feudalism in the Middle Ages make an insecure life more secure?
People were very insecure and worried about the riff raff attacking them and stealing there money. So the King would give a lord a fief in exchange for military service. And a lord would give some peasants some land in exchange for labor and yard work, the lords would also protect the peasant from the riff raff, making him less insecure.
In regards to feudalism, what was a fief? Was this a fair system? Why or why not?
A fief was a grant of land. In my opinion feudalism is not a fair system. The peasants work the hardest out of anyone and are rewarded the least. They also can not move up or down in the feudal pyramid. This is unfair because just because you are born into a family of serfs, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to become more than one. This system is unfair, however people obeyed it because they believed that it was the will of God for them to be in there place, so they didn’t oppose. This system however can be beneficial. It offers land and protection from riff raff.
- How was medieval European society organized socially, economically, militarily, and religiously?
Militarily/socially : the king is at the top. He has lords fight for him. And the lords have Knights fight for them. The Knights have serfs. Those who fight, those who pray, and those who work.
Religiously: church pope, followed by cardinals, then archbishops, bishops, then priests/monks.
Economically: King gives land to lords in exchange for military service. Lord payed tax to kings, lords hire surfs to work the land, also has to pay a tax to the king and lord
- How did the role of the Church develop and change during the early Middle Ages?
Church is the only stable/constant power.
Pope exercises more political authority.
The popes newfound power leads to corruption, simony and lay investiture.
Leads to the crusades, eventually the church splits into the Roman Catholic and the Eastern Orthodox.
- What was the cause and effect relationship between the breakdown of the strong central government of the Roman Empire and the development of feudalism?
Central government of Rome falls to barbarians. Because of this, they lose language, education, literacy, and written law. The result of this is that people are incapable of protecting themselves. They are scared of the riff raff. They look for wealthy lords to provide protection
How did the code of chivalry arise and what were the important aspects of it? Is it still alive and true today?
Chivalry is a complex set of ideals that demanded that a knight fight bravely in defense of 3 ideals. The lords are the feudal lord, the heavenly lord, and the chosen lady. It arose during the constant and brutal fighting amongst the nobles. Conflict arose when a night must chose between his lord and lady, etc. also I sadly have to say the chivalry is almost dead. Not many people are respectful to women anymore. I would like to think that there a few people who still try and be chivalrous. I myself am proud to say I try
- What is the difference between Romanesque and Gothic architecture?
Romanesque : thick walls, thin slit like windows, thick pillars, round arches, the weight goes down. Flat roofs. Dark damp
Gothic. More large windows, more light thin walls giant stained glass windows. Flying buttress kept the walls from bending.
- What were some of the most important effects of the bubonic plague in Europe?
The Black Death did several bad things such as halting the government, stopping trade, and slowing food production. However it also did some beneficial things. Such as it was the first sign of an organisms ability to mutate into another form. Ex it went from a flea spread virus to a pneumonic one
- Discuss the causes and effects of the Crusades.
Cause Constantinople needed help, called to west for help. West goes to fight but just to take back jerusalem. Effect. Never take jerusalem. It is the final ack to the great schism.
- Discuss how the three field system improved farming practices in the Middle Ages.
There are three fields. 2 are being planted at a time. The third is being rested. Cows eat and poop on it creating manure. When the season is over, the fields rotate and another one is resting and the one that was resting is now being used
