islam and byzintine

kill me already gahh

Plague

A widespread and deadly disease

Stagnation

A period of little or no growth or development

Medieval

Relating to the Middle Ages, roughly AD 500–1500

Icon

A religious image used in worship, often painted on wood

Venerate

To treat with deep respect and honor

Iconoclast

Someone who opposes the use or worship of religious images

Mosaics

Pictures made from small pieces of colored glass, stone, or tile

What caused the downfall of the Western Roman Empire?

Political corruption, economic weakness, invasions, and instability weakened the West

What does this suggest about the Eastern Roman Empire?

The East (Byzantium) was stronger, wealthier, and better protected, allowing it to survive

Why was Constantinople’s location important?

It controlled key trade routes, collected taxes, and had a defensible hilltop position

Why was the Justinian Code important?

It organized Roman law, influenced modern legal systems, and expanded women’s rights

What did iconophiles want?

They wanted icons to be respected and used in worship, not destroyed

How did the Byzantine Empire impact the Slavic world

It spread Orthodox Christianity, art, architecture, and the Cyrillic alphabet

How did Byzantine inheritance laws affect women’s lives?

Women gained property rights, divorce rights, and increased social power

Was the Slavic Bible translation important?

Yes, it allowed the Slavs to read scripture in their own language and encouraged conversion

How did Christianity unify the Byzantine Empire?

It created a shared identity, influenced government, and shaped culture

Hajj

The required pilgrimage to Mecca for able Muslims

Caliph

The religious and political leader of the Muslim community after Muhammad

Sharia

Islamic law based on the Quran and the teachings of Muhammad

Dhimmitude

The protected but limited status of non

Qadi

A judge who interprets and applies Sharia law

Figurehead

A leader with a title but no real power

Arabesque

A complex, flowing pattern used in Islamic art

Calligraphy

Decorative writing used to honor the Quran and beautify art

Astrolabe

A tool used for navigation and astronomical measurement

How did Islam gain its first followers?

Through Muhammad’s teachings, his reputation for honesty, and the appeal of unity and charity

What caused the Sunni

Shia split?

What impact did the expanding Muslim empire have on Asia, Africa, and Europe?

It spread Islam, trade, knowledge, and cultural influences across three continents

How did the Umayyad conquest of North Africa change the empire?

It expanded territory, increased wealth, and spread Islam into Spain

How did Islam influence Abbasid law and government?

Sharia guided laws, courts, taxation, and leadership

How do Muslims, Christians, and Jews differ in beliefs about prophets?

Muslims see Muhammad as the final prophet, Christians view Jesus as divine, Jews accept prophets like Moses but not Jesus or Muhammad

What effects did the creation of the caliph have on the Muslim world?

It unified Muslims but also led to succession disputes and political division

How important was the Islamic Golden Age?

Very important—it produced major advances in science, medicine, math, navigation, art, and literature

Why did the Western Roman Empire fall, and why did the Byzantine Empire survive?

The West fell due to invasions, weak leaders, economic decline, and military problems.

The Byzantine Empire survived because it had strong leadership, wealth from trade, a professional army, and the heavily fortified city of Constantinople.

How did geography make Constantinople powerful?

It controlled the Bosporus Strait, giving it power over major trade routes between Europe and Asia.

Its peninsula location, high walls, and elevation made it very hard to attack and easy to defend.

What were Justinian’s main accomplishments?

He reconquered parts of the old Roman Empire, rebuilt Constantinople, promoted trade, and created the Justinian Code, which preserved Roman law and influenced later legal systems.

Why was the Justinian Code important?

It organized confused Roman laws into a clear system.

It protected rights, especially for women, and became a model for many modern legal traditions.

Why did the Icon Controversy divide the empire?

Icon supporters believed images helped people connect to God.

Icon opponents believed images were idols.

This disagreement caused political and religious conflict and weakened unity.

How was Eastern Orthodox Christianity different from Western Christianity?

The East used Greek instead of Latin, allowed priests to marry, and gave the emperor influence over the church.

The West followed the Pope and had stricter church rules.

These differences increased tension between the two branches.

How did Byzantium influence Slavic culture?

It brought Orthodox Christianity, church architecture, and religious art to the Slavs.

Missionaries also created the Cyrillic alphabet, which helped spread reading, writing, and Slavic identity.

Why was the Cyrillic alphabet important?

It allowed Slavic languages to be written for the first time, helped spread Christianity, and supported the growth of Slavic culture and education.

How did Christianity unify the Byzantine Empire?

It gave people shared beliefs, shaped laws and daily life, and supported the emperor’s authority.

Religion became central to Byzantine identity and culture.

Why did Islam gain followers so quickly?

Muhammad’s message of equality, charity, and one God appealed to many.

His strong reputation for honesty, plus growing trade and tribal connections, helped spread Islam rapidly.

What caused the Sunni–Shia split?

Muslims disagreed over who should lead after Muhammad.

Shiites wanted a leader from Muhammad’s family.

Sunnis believed the community should choose the best leader.