Byzantine Empire
How did the Byzantine Empire originate (what was it previously a part of)?
It would develop out of the eastern capital of the Roman Empire (Constantinople) after emperor Diocletian split the empire into east and west
Who eventually overtook Constantinople from the Byzantines, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire?
The Ottomans
What civilization had the greatest impact on the development if Russia?
Byzantine Empire
What was the Great Schism?
Split between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox church in 1054; resulted over disagreements about use of icons (religious images) in the church
What is a mosaic?
Piece of art composed of different colored pieces of rock/stone to form a picture; developed by the Byzantines
Who was Justinian?
Emperor of the Byzantine Empire at its height; led a great expansion of territory and culture; known for his law code developed in collaboration with his wife Theodora
Who was Suleyman I (aka Suleyman the Magnificent aka Suleyman the Lawgiver)? What was the status of the Ottoman Empire under his leadership?
Sultan of the Ottoman Empire during its height; became most powerful monarch on Earth; controlled world's biggest empire at the time; known for law code, elite army, and incorporation of conquered peoples into important jobs
What is the name of the alphabet created in Russia
The Cyrillic Alphabet
What religion was at the core of the Ottoman Empire? How was the different than the Byzantine Empire?
Islam; Byzantine Empire practiced Orthodox Christianity
What is the Hagia Sophia?
Massive, extravagant church constructed in Constantinople under the Byzantine Empire that would later become a mosque after city conquered by the Ottomans; still stands today as a museum
Why was Constantinople such an important city to the rest of the world during the Byzantine Empire?
It was the most important trade port in the world because of its location on the Mediterranean and in the center of the Silk Road which connected east and west (China to Europe)
Which leader of the Ottoman Empire is credited with taking Constantinople from the Byzantines? How did he do it?
Mehmed II led an all-out siege of the city, which included use of cannons, rolling ships over road made of greased logs, and flooding Byzantine tunnels in and out of the city
What is a czar? Where did the Russians get this idea from?
A czar (tsar) is an emperor ruling in Russia; borrowed this idea from Byzantine Empire
What is excommunication?
When a person is banished from the church; people believed you were then unable to talk to God as a result (therefore you can't repent, ask for forgiveness, go to heaven)
Who was Marco Polo? Why was he significant?
Italian explorer and merchant who traveled from Europe to Asia, staying in China for 17 years; produced famous writings detailing his travels
What made Justinian's Code unique?
Laws were fairer to women; punishments fit the crime; root of the English word "justice;" due to Justinian's collaboration with his wife Theodora
Where did the Abbasid Empire rule from? Why was it so significant?
Baghdad; It was the premier center of culture and advancement in the world at the time
Who is Ivan III, and why is he important?
First Czar (Tsar) of Russia; quadrupled the size of Russia, making it an empire after defeating Mongols; laid foundation of Russian government; turned Russia into Eastern Orthodox Christian nation
What are icons? What did they lead to?
Icons are Religious images used in churches that would lead to the Great Schism in 1054, separating into the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches
What are the two other names for the city of Byzantium, and what led to the name changes?
The city was renamed Constantinople by emperor Constantine who names it after himself, then changed to Istanbul after it was taken over by the Ottoman Empire
What are two factors that led to the fall of the Byzantine Empire?
- Repeated attacks from the Ottomans - The Black Plague hit Constantinople hard - Schism in the church gave them no support from the west - Warfare caused much of the empire to fall into disrepair during the Crusades
Who were the Umayyads?
The ruled the first Muslim Empire following Muhammad's death
Why did the city of Kiev originally become significant?
It was the first capital of the Russian Empire; was the center of trade that connected it with Constantinople (and therefore much of the rest of the world)
Why did Orthodox Christianity become the primary religion for Russia and other parts of Eastern Europe?
The original Russian Empire was most significantly influenced by the Byzantine empire; Czar Ivan III converted to Orthodox Christianity
How did the fall of Constantinople lead to the discovery of the "New World" by Europeans?
Silk Road trade routes were destroyed by the Ottomans, which led to Europeans searching for new ways to get to places like China, India, etc.