The head of the Roman Catholic Church
Pope
The head of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Patriarch
A Russian emperor (from the word "Caesar).
Czar
Seafaring people from Scandinavia who raided and traded across Europe.
Vikings
Religious images used in Christian worship.
Icons
The eastern half of the Roman Empire that survived after the fall of Rome.
Byzantine Empire
Poor farmers who worked the land and owed service to their lord.
Peasants/Serfs
Warriors who served lords and protected their land in exchange for land or rewards.
Knights
A nation that developed from Slavic, Viking, and Byzantine influences.
Russia
A collection of Roman laws organized by Emperor Justinian.
Justinian's Code
Capital city of the Byzantine Empire, located between Europe and Asia.
Constantinople
The period in Europe between the fall of Rome and the Renaissance.
Middle Ages ("Dark Ages," "Medieval Europe")
Religious wars launched by Christians to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslims.
Crusades
Kings or queens who ruled over large areas of land.
Monarchs
The first major city of early Russia and center of trade.
Kiev
The branch of Christianity practiced in the Byzantine Empire.
Orthodox Christianity
The branch of Christianity centered in Rome and led by the Pope.
Roman Catholicism
Wealthy landowners who controlled manors and had power over peasants.
Lords/Nobles
The writing system created by Byzantine missionaries for Slavic peoples.
Cyrillic Alphabet
A political and social system where land was exchanged for loyalty and service.
Feudalism
The economic system where peasants worked the land for lords on self-sufficient estates
Manorial System
King of the Franks who united much of Western Europe and was crowned “Emperor of the Romans.”
Charlemagne
The split between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches.
Great Schism (1054 A.D.)
A great church built in Constantinople, famous for its dome and beauty.
Hagia Sophia
Justinian’s wife and advisor who helped improve women’s rights.
Theodora