Byzantine empire

Unit 6 - Byzantine empire flashcards - Intro to AP world

Byzantine Empire

A historically significant empire that succeeded the Eastern Roman Empire in the Mediterranean and preserved Roman culture for another thousand years.

Constantinople

Originally Byzantium, transformed by Emperor Constantine into a grand city and named after him; it became the capital of the Byzantine Empire.

Crossroads

A meeting point of trade routes; the Byzantine Empire was at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.

Justinian

Emperor who ruled from 527 to 565 AD, known for his efforts to reconquer lost territories of the Roman Empire and for his legal reforms.

Theodora

Empress and wife of Justinian, known for her influence on laws and policies affecting women and her role in saving Justinian's throne.

Hagia Sophia

A cathedral in Constantinople constructed under Justinian, considered a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture.

Cyrillic Alphabet

An alphabet developed by Saint Cyril for Slavic peoples, which made it possible for them to read the Bible in their own languages.

The Great Schism

The division of Christianity into the Roman Catholic Church in the west and the Eastern Orthodox Church in the east in 1054.

Iconoclasm

The rejection or destruction of religious images; a major conflict between Eastern and Western Christianity.

Kublai Khan

Grandson of Genghis Khan and ruler of the Yuan Dynasty in China, known for his efforts in integrating Mongol and Chinese culture.

Roman Law

The legal system and principles that emerged from the Roman Republic and Empire, significantly influencing the legal traditions of the Byzantine Empire.

Theodosius II

Emperor who ruled from 408 to 450 AD, known for his codification of Roman laws and construction of the Theodosian Walls in Constantinople.

Mosaics

Artistic works made of small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials, prevalent in Byzantine churches and reflecting religious themes.

Basil II

Emperor from 976 to 1025 AD, known for military successes and territorial expansion, often referred to as 'Basil the Bulgar Slayer'.

Silk Road

Trade routes connecting the East and West; the Byzantine Empire played a significant role in the trade of silk and other goods.

Eastern Orthodox Church

The Christian denomination that developed in the Byzantine Empire, characterized by its liturgy, traditions, and prominence in Byzantine society.

Crusades

Series of religious wars initiated by the Latin Church in the medieval period, affecting Byzantine relations with Western Europe.

Patriarch of Constantinople

The spiritual leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church, contributing to the religious and political life of the Byzantine Empire.

Nika Riots

A series of violent protests in 532 AD against the Byzantine government, significant for its impact on Justinian's rule.

Greek Fire

An incendiary weapon used by the Byzantine navy, instrumental in defending against naval attacks.

Genghis Khan

Founder of the Mongol Empire, known for uniting the Mongol tribes and his military tactics that enabled rapid expansion across Asia.

Mongol Empire

The largest contiguous land empire in history, established in the 13th century and reaching across Europe and Asia.

Pax Mongolica

A period of peace and stability throughout the Mongol Empire that facilitated trade and cultural exchange along the Silk Road.

Mongol Conquests

A series of military campaigns led by Genghis Khan and his successors, resulting in the subjugation of vast territories.

Khanates

The administrative divisions of the Mongol Empire that emerged after Genghis Khan's death, including the Golden Horde and the Yuan Dynasty.

Yuan Dynasty

A dynasty in China established by Kublai Khan, marking the period of Mongol rule over China from 1271 to 1368.

Yurt

A portable, tent-like dwelling used by Mongolian nomads, designed for a nomadic lifestyle.

Mongolian Horse

A breed known for its stamina and adaptability, crucial to the Mongol military and lifestyle.

Silk Road Expansion

The Mongols revitalized and secured trade along the Silk Road, enhancing interactions between the East and West.

Mongolian Culture

A rich heritage characterized by nomadic traditions, music, oral literature, and shamanistic beliefs.

Papal Authority

The authority exercised by the Pope over the Roman Catholic Church, often a point of contention leading to the Great Schism.

Eastern Orthodoxy

The branch of Christianity that developed from the Eastern Orthodox Church, influenced by Byzantine traditions and theology.

Filioque Controversy

A theological dispute between Eastern and Western Christianity regarding the phrase 'and the Son' in the Nicene Creed, contributing to the Great Schism.

Schism Effects

The Great Schism led to mutual excommunications and a lasting division between Western Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.

Mutual Excommunication

The formal act of excommunicating each other by the leaders of the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church in 1054.

Creed

A formal statement of beliefs; the Nicene Creed is central to the controversy that contributed to the Great Schism.

Religious Traditions

Distinct rites and practices that emerged in the Eastern Orthodox Church vs. the Roman Catholic Church, highlighting their differences post-Schism.

Pope Leo IX

Pope during the time of the Great Schism, known for his strong stance on papal authority and excommunicating the patriarch of Constantinople.

Patriarch Michael Cerularius

The Patriarch of Constantinople who opposed papal authority and played a significant role in the events leading to the Great Schism.

Cultural Differences

Divergences in language, customs, and worship styles between the Catholic West and Orthodox East that intensified following the Schism.