The Byzantine Empire
This city, located between the Mediterranean and Black Seas, served as the wealthy trade capital of the Eastern Roman Empire
What is Constantinople?
The Western Roman Empire officially fell in this year after being conquered by Germanic barbarians.
What is 476 A.D.?
This is the name of the official split between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches that occurred in 1054.
What is the Great Schism?
In exchange for loyalty and military service, a lord would grant a piece of land, known by this term, to a knight.
What is a fief?
In 1095, this religious leader issued a call for a "holy war" to regain control of the Holy Land.
Who is Pope Urban II?
He was the most famous Byzantine emperor, known for reconquering Roman territories and creating a uniform law code.
Who is Justinian?
To save the empire from decline, this emperor was the first to divide Rome into Western and Eastern halves.
Who is Diocletian?
To maintain their faith, medieval Christians were required to pay this 10% tax to the church.
What is a tithe?
These peasants were at the bottom of the feudal triangle and were legally tied to the lord's estate
Who are serfs?
This holy city was the primary target for Christian knights during the Crusades.
What is Jerusalem?
This powerful woman was Justinian’s wife and served as his advisor, helping to pass laws and meet with foreign leaders.
Who is Empress Theodora?
Following the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, Europe entered this era, characterized by a decline in learning and constant warfare.
What are the Middle Ages (or "Dark Ages")?
This term refers to being officially kicked out of the church, which meant the person was denied access to heaven.
What is excommunication?
Because trade was disrupted by nomadic raids, medieval manors had to be this, meaning they produced everything they needed to survive.
What is self-sufficient?
Although the Crusades failed to hold Jerusalem, they increased this process of spreading new ideas and technologies between cultures.
What is cultural diffusion?
This massive Christian cathedral, featuring Roman-style arches and domes, was Justinian's most impressive architectural project.
What is the Hagia Sophia?
As a common language was lost after Rome's fall, Latin mixed with local dialects to form these new languages, such as French and Spanish.
What are Romance languages?
These religious images were at the center of a major controversy in the 700s, leading to riots and a rift between the Pope and the Byzantine Emperor.
What are icons?
This "Great" king of the Franks created an organized empire, spread Christianity, and valued learning.
Who is Charlemagne?
Following the Crusades, Europeans developed a high demand for these luxury goods, such as silk, cotton, and spices.
What are trade goods (or luxury goods)?
To better govern his empire, Justinian consolidated old Roman laws into this single code, which served as a legal basis for the next 900 years
What is the Justinian Code?
This Germanic group became the largest and most powerful kingdom in the early Middle Ages.
Who are the Franks?
All Christians in the Middle Ages were expected to follow this system of church rules and rituals.
What is Canon Law?
This political system was based on land ownership and loyalty, developed as a way to offer protection from invaders.
What is feudalism?
At the conclusion of the Crusades, this religious group maintained control of the Holy Land.
Who are the Muslims?