The Byzantine Empire
This city, originally known as Byzantium, served as the capital of the Byzantine Empire for over 1,000 years.
What is Constantinople?
This 1054 CE event officially divided the Christian church permanently into two separate faiths
What is the Great Schism?
These two saints invented a system of writing to help the Slavic people read the Bible.
Who are Saints Methodius and Cyril? (Cyrillic Alphabet)
This Mongol leader unified nomadic tribes and promoted his soldiers based on merit rather than family ties.
Who is Genghis Khan?
This absolute ruler was responsible for creating a unified law code and reconquering much of the old Roman Empire
Who is Emperor Justinian?
While the Roman Catholic Church conducted services in Latin, this was the official language of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
What is Greek?
This popular trading city on the Dnieper River was the center of the first unified Russian state.
What is Kiev?
This was the name of the Mongol empire that ruled over Russia for 200 years, demanding loyalty and taxes.
What is the Khanate of the Golden Horde?
This famous church, featuring massive domes and architectural grandeur, was built during Justinian's public building program.
What is the Hagia Sophia?
This term refers to the temporary movement that declared religious art heretical, leading to the destruction of many portraits and sculptures.
What is Iconoclasm?
This leader officially adopted Eastern Orthodoxy for himself and the Russian people because he liked the idea of the Emperor being supreme to the church.
Who is Vladimir?
This Russian leader won independence from Mongol rule and declared Moscow the "Third Rome.
Who is Ivan III (Ivan the Great)?
This co-ruler and former actress is credited with improving women's rights and stopping her husband from fleeing during the Nika Rebellion.
Who is Empress Theodora?
This type of power meant the Church had influence over all aspects of European life, including politics, law, and culture.
What is Secular Power?
This ruler created a law code for Russia but weakened the empire by dividing it among his sons
Who is Yaroslav the Wise?
This title, used by Russian rulers starting with the Ivans, is the Russian word for "Caesar."
What is Czar?
These artistic works, often featuring gold flecks, were placed on walls rather than floors in Byzantine culture.
What are Mosaics?
This specific controversy involved the appointment of religious leaders and was eventually resolved by decreeing only the Pope could make such appointments.
What is Lay Investiture?
This specific architectural feature was introduced to Russia from the Byzantines via cultural diffusion.
What are Onion Domes?
This "Moneybags" leader moved the seat of Russian power from Kiev to this city.
Who is Ivan I, and what is Moscow?