Expanding Horizons of Cross-Cultural Interaction

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the expansion of cross-cultural interaction from 1000 to 1500 c.E., focusing on trade, travel, and cultural exchange during this period.

Ibn Battuta

A Moroccan scholar and traveler who undertook extensive journeys across the Islamic world and beyond, documenting his experiences.

qadi

An Islamic judge who rules according to sharia law.

bubonic plague

An infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, often spread via fleas from infected rodents, which led to devastating epidemics in the 14th century.

Ming dynasty

The ruling dynasty in China from 1368 to 1644, known for its cultural, political, and economic achievements.

long-distance trade

The exchange of goods and services over great distances, involving different regions or countries, particularly prominent between 1000 and 1500 c.E.

Silk Roads

A network of trade routes connecting China with Europe, facilitating the exchange of goods, culture, and ideas.

Zheng He

A Chinese mariner and explorer of the Ming dynasty known for his voyages to Southeast Asia, South Asia, and East Africa.

Renaissance

A period of cultural rebirth in Europe from the 14th to the 17th century characterized by a renewed interest in art, literature, and learning based on classical sources.

Melaka

A vital trading port in Southeast Asia that became the principal clearinghouse for trade in the Indian Ocean during the 15th century.

cultural exchange

The process by which different cultures share ideas, traditions, and practices, especially through trade and travel.

Marco Polo

A Venetian merchant and explorer whose travels to Asia and China were documented in 'The Travels of Marco Polo,' significantly influencing European knowledge of the East.

eunuch

A man whose testicles have been removed, often serving as a servant or official in Chinese imperial courts, particularly in the Ming dynasty.

Christian missionaries

Individuals, particularly from the Catholic Church, who traveled long distances to spread Christianity.

Sufis

Islamic mystics known for their spiritualism and missionary activities, particularly in spreading Islam in newly converted regions.

gunpowder

An explosive mixture that significantly changed warfare, particularly as it spread from East Asia to Europe during the Middle Ages.

trans-Saharan trade

A trade network that connected sub-Saharan Africa with Europe and the Middle East, primarily involving the exchange of gold and salt.

vassal

A person or entity in a subordinate position to a feudal lord, particularly in the context of medieval European political systems.

diplomatic missions

Official journeys undertaken to represent a country's interests abroad, often involving negotiations and treaties.