The Empire Strikes Back
This empire continued after the fall of the Western Roman Empire and preserved Greek culture while spreading Christianity.
What is the Byzantine Empire?
Constantinople’s location on this body of water helped the Byzantine Empire control trade between Europe and Asia.
What is the Mediterranean Sea (or Black Sea / strategic strait)
This Byzantine emperor expanded the empire, spread Christianity, and built the famous church known as the Hagia Sophia.
Who is Justinian?
The sacred text of Islam that contains the revelations received by Muhammad.
What is the Quran?
Griots in West Africa used this method to pass down history and culture.
What is oral tradition?
This West African city became a center of trade, learning, and Islamic scholarship.
Marco Polo’s travels helped spread knowledge of Chinese technology and goods to Europe.
What is the Silk Road (or Eurasian trade)?
This Ottoman leader conquered Constantinople in 1453 and ended the Byzantine Empire.
Who is Mehmed II (the Conqueror)?
This Japanese religion focuses on kami (spirits) and ritual practices connected to nature and ancestors.
What is Shintoism?
This Islamic scholar made major contributions in mathematics, medicine, and science during the Middle Ages.
Who is Ibn Sina (Avicenna) or Al-Khwarizmi?
This Chinese dynasty rebuilt the Grand Canal and helped spread Buddhism.
What is the Sui Dynasty?
This system of land ownership and protection defined life in medieval Europe.
What is feudalism?
This Byzantine ruler helped create a famous code of laws that still influences legal systems today.
Who is Justinian?
These Japanese warriors followed a strict code of honor and served the shogun.
Who are the samurai?
Fast-ripening rice and the mariner’s compass were innovations during this Chinese dynasty.
What is the Song Dynasty?
This series of wars was fought to recapture the Holy Land from Muslim control.
What are the Crusades?
This series of wars was fought to recapture the Holy Land from Muslim control.
What are the Crusades?
This Mongol leader conquered much of Asia and founded the Mongol Empire.
Who is Genghis Khan?
These are the five basic acts of worship in Islam known as the Five Pillars.
What are the 5 pillars of ISLAM?
The Tale of Genji is considered the world’s first novel and was written during this period of Japanese history.
What is the Heian period/aristocracy?
Gunpowder and the reopening of the Silk Road were major achievements of this Chinese dynasty.
What is the Tang Dynasty?
This deadly plague killed millions and caused major social changes.
What is the black plague in EUROPE
This Malian king made a famous pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324, spreading wealth and fame across the Muslim world.
Who is Mansa Musa?
This European ruler was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by the Pope and spread Christianity.
Who is Charlemagne?
This 1215 document limited the power of the English king and is a foundation of modern rights.
What is the Magna Carta?