Medieval History 101
Most historians would say the Medieval era begins with the fall of this empire.
What is Rome?
This Germanic tribe is often credited with dealing the death blow to the Western Roman Empire.
Who are the Goths?
This civilization was the continuous Greek-speaking Eastern Roman Empire, which lasted until the 1400s.
Who are the Byzantines?
The belief in multiple gods, often based on natural phenomena or human concepts like war or wisdom.
What is Polytheism (paganism)?
These holy images often line the walls of Eastern Orthodox or Catholic churches.
What are icons?
This term describes the political and economic arrangement common in Medieval Europe, where different social classes promised certain things to one another.
What is Feudalism?
These gatherings were a way for Vikings to settle legal disputes and vote democratically on important community matters.
What are Things?
This man, sometimes called the "Father of Europe", was the first Holy Roman Emperor.
Who is Charlemagne?
This practice in both Christianity and Buddhism involves a person taking vows and living a life of self-discipline and seclusion.
What is monasticism?
Respect for this art form was a backbone of the culture in pre-Islamic Arabia.
What is poetry?
Charlemagne belonged to this tribe, who would later form the early kingdoms of both France and Germany.
Who are the Franks?
This Viking leader is credited with discovering and forming the first settlements in Greenland.
Erik the Red
Constantine was considered the first Byzantine Emperor, in part because he was the first to belong to this religion.
What is Christianity?
A split within a religion, like the "Great" one in 1054 that officially divided the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.
What is a schism?
Notre Dame and Rheims cathedral are both examples of this architectural style.
What is Gothic?
If you were a medieval noble, you would receive one of these to protect and make economically profitable.
What is a fief?
The name given by Lief Erikson to the lands he discovered and settled in present day Canada.
What is Vinland?
This Byzantine Emperor expanded the Empire's borders and oversaw the building of the Hagia Sophia.
Who is Justinian?
This shrine in Mecca was thought to be built by Abraham and Isaac, though at the time of Muhammad it was filled with pagan idols.
What is the Kaaba?
This flourishing of learning and the arts was sponsored by Charlemagne and his teacher, Alcuin.
What is the Carolingian Rennaissance?
Charles Martel famously defeated the Islamic armies in this French town, halting the expansion of the caliphate any further into Europe.
What is Tours?
This once-pagan people were the dominant nomadic and warrior culture of the Arabian peninsula before Islam, and still exist throughout the Middle East and North Africa today.
Who are the Bedouin?
This Roman philosopher's "Consolation of Philosophy" is evidence that the "Dark Ages" did include some monumental intellectual achievements.
Who is Boethius?
At the beginning of Muhammad's prophetic career, this angel commanded him to "recite" words that would come to form the Qu'ran.
Who is Gabriel?
This 19th century novel about an Eastern European aristocrat with supernatural powers is an example of "Gothic literature".
What is Dracula?