Unit 1
When did the Middle Ages take place?
The Middle Ages lasted from the fifth to the late fifteenth century.
Who is Justinian, and what is he recognized for?
Justinian was the Byzantine emperor from 527 to 565. He is credited for expanding the empire and unification of the Roman laws in the Justinian Code.
Who is Theodosius the Great? What is he known for, and what is one important action that he made?
Theodosius the Great (346-395 AD) was the last emperor to rule over the entire Roman Empire. Before his death, he divided the empire between his two children. There was then a Western Roman Empire and an Eastern Roman Empire.
Who is Theodora, and what is she recognized for?
Theodora, wife of Justinian, was the Byzantine empress in the VI century. She constantly influenced Justinian on political affairs and promoted women's rights in the Byzantine Empire.
What initiated the Middle Ages?
The Middle Ages were initiated by the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
What is Christian schism?
Christian schism is the split in 1054 of Christianity between the Eastern Christian church (Orthodox) and the Western Christian church (Catholicism).
List the seven Germanic Kingdoms.
1. Ostrogoths
2. Visigoths
3. Suebi
4. Franks
5. Angles
6. Jutes
7. Saxons
When was the Byzantine Empire the most successful and why?
The Byzantine Empire was at its peak in 565 AD. Its location allowed it to defend itself well. It also was at the crossroads of trade routes between Asia and Europe, which allowed it to become wealthy.
When did the Middle Ages come to an end?
The Middle Ages ended in 1453, with the call of Constantinople.
What was the political organization of the Byzantine Empire?
The Byzantine Empire had a centralized political system, where the emperor (basileus) had absolute power. This meant that the basileus was the head of the government, the army, and the church.
Describe the climate after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. What happened to the land afterwards?
Eastern Roman Empire: drove Germanic tribes towards Western Roman Empire. It did survive the fall of Rome and Germanic Invasion. It was later known as the Byzantine Empire.
Western Roman Empire: made alliances with Germanic Tribes, and was eventually divided into Germanic Kingdoms.
Describe the economy of the Byzantine Empire.
The Byzantine Empire's economy was reliant on agriculture, craftwork such as jewelry, and trade.
Who is Charlemagne, and what is he recognized for?
Charlemagne was a member of the Carolingian dynasty, a King of the Franks from 768, King of the Lombards from 774, and was also crowned as the Emperor by the Papacy in 800.
When did the Justinian Golden Age take place? List the different characteristics of Justinian's Golden Age.
During the Justinian Golden Age (527-565), there were:
1. cultural achievements such as the Code of Justinian
2. economic expansion in manufacturing and trade
3. territorial expansion in the Italian peninsula, North Africa, and SE Iberian peninsula
Describe the Visigothic Kingdom's political organization, economy, and society.
Political organization: elective monarchy that was advised by the Aula Regia, an organization composed of nobles and eccesiastics and the Councils of Toledo, where laws were made.
Economy: agriculture and livestock farming
Society: rich minority, small landowners, latifundia workers, craftsmen, merchants and serfs.
List the social hierarchy that represented Byzantinian society.
1. Basileus
2. Patriarch
3. High Clergy and Nobility
4. Artisans, traders, soldiers, free farmers
5. Serfs and slaves