World Terms

Song Dynasty

Chinese dynasty (960–1279) that rose after the Tang Dynasty; promoted Neo-Confucianism and experienced major agricultural and industrial growth.

China’s Economic Revolution

Period during the Song Dynasty marked by population growth, urbanization, economic specialization, improved waterways, industrial production, and technological innovation.

Foot Binding

Practice in which Chinese girls’ feet were tightly wrapped to keep them small; small, delicate feet became a symbol of female beauty.

Bushido

The “way of the warrior”; values of the Japanese samurai including bravery, loyalty, and an emphasis on death over surrender.

Abbasid Caliphate

Arab dynasty of caliphs that governed the Islamic world from Baghdad (750–1258 C.E.); the empire became increasingly fragmented before being overthrown by the Mongols.

Ottoman Empire

Islamic state centered in Anatolia that eventually included the Balkans, Middle East, and North Africa; lasted from the 14th century to the early 20th century.

Byzantine Empire

Continuation of the Roman Empire in the East from the 4th century until 1453.

Constantinople

New capital of the eastern Roman Empire; its strong defenses, economy, and location made it an important cultural and strategic center for centuries.

Eastern Orthodox Christianity

Branch of Christianity that developed in the eastern Roman Empire and gradually separated from Western Christianity, mainly over practices and traditions.

Crusades

Series of religious wars fought between 1095 and 1291, largely by European Christians seeking to take land in the Holy Land from Muslim rulers.

Kievan Rus

Culturally diverse civilization that emerged near Kiev in the 9th century C.E.; adopted Christianity in the 10th century and became connected to Eastern Orthodoxy.

Western Christendom

Western European branch of Christianity, also known as Roman Catholicism, that gradually separated from Eastern Orthodoxy, especially after the split of 1054 C.E.

Roman Catholic Church

Western European branch of Christianity that gradually separated from Eastern Orthodoxy, with a major break occurring in 1054 C.E.

European Renaissance

“Rebirth” of classical learning associated especially with Italy; included renewed interest in Greek and Roman ideas, major artistic developments, and growing secularism.

Maya Civilization

Major Mesoamerican civilization known for having the most elaborate writing system in the Americas and for major intellectual and artistic achievements; flourished especially from about 250–900 C.E.

Aztec Empire

Major state in present-day Mexico that developed during the 14th and 15th centuries; dominated by the semi-nomadic Mexica, who migrated from northern Mexico.

Inca Empire

Largest imperial state in the Western Hemisphere; developed during the 15th and 16th centuries and stretched nearly 2,500 miles along the Andes Mountains of western South America.