Unit 3A: 600 C.E. to 1450 C.E. (copy)

Caliph

the civil and religious leader of a Muslim state considered to be a representative of Allah on earth

Chivalry

the medieval knight's code of ideal behavior, including bravery, loyalty, and respect for women

Cultural Diffusion

The spread of ideas, customs, and technologies from one people to another

Eastern Orthodox

The Christian religion of the Byzantine Empire. This form of Christianity did not recognize the pope's authority, spoke Greek in church services, and allowed priests to marry. Eventually, this form of Christianity would spread to Russia.

Hajj

the fifth pillar of Islam is a pilgrimage to Mecca during the month of Dhu al-Qadah

Hijab

A head covering worn in public by some Muslim women.

Islam

A religion based on the teachings of the prophet Mohammed which stresses belief in one god (Allah), Paradise and Hell, and a body of law written in the Quran. Followers are called Muslims.

Mosque

Muslim house of worship

Muslim

A follower of Islam, means "one who has submitted"

Roman Catholic

The Christian religion of Western Europe that is based in the Vatican and presided over by a pope. Latin is spoken in the church services and priests are not allowed to marry. This form of Christianity was dominant in Western Europe and would spread to Latin and South America.

Serfs

a person who lived on and farmed a lord's land in feudal times

Constantinople

Previously known as Byzantium, this was the capital of the Byzantine empire; now called Istanbul

The Crusades

(1095-1291 CE) Christian Europe versus Muslim Middle East. Christian armies tried to reclaim Jerusalem. The result was increased hostility between Christians and Muslims but an increase in trade.

Clovis

(5th century CE) leader of the Franks who converted to Christianity

Code of Justinian

a compilation of Roman and church law, and it laid the foundation for modern, western law

Magna Carta

Signed by King John in 1215; the first document in England that limited the power of the king

Mansa Musa

this Mali king brought Mali to its peak of power and wealth from 1312 the 1337 CE; he was the most powerful king in West Africa and went on a pilgrimage to Mecca, showing off his wealth

Sacking of Constantinople

During the Fourth Crusade (1202-1204), in April 1204, the Crusaders of Western Europe invaded and conquered the capital of the Byzantine Empire. This act weakened the city and is seen as one of the final acts in the Great Schism between the Eastern Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church.

Cyril

Orthodox missionary to the Russian people; he created the Cyrillic alphabet which was based off the Greek alphabet

Timbuktu

City on the Niger River in the modern country of Mali. As part of the Mali Empire, this city became a major major terminus of the trans-Saharan trade and a center of Islamic learning

William the Conqueror

duke of Normandy who led the Norman invasion of England and became the first Norman to be King of England

Jihad

A holy struggle or striving by a Muslim for a moral or spiritual or political goal

Feudalism

A political system in which nobles are granted the use of lands that legally belong to their king, in exchange for their loyalty, military service, and protection of the people who live on the land

Dhow

Ship of small to moderate size used in Indian Ocean Trade, traditionally with a triangular sail and a sewn timber hull used by the Arabs.

Ghana

The first major empire of West Africa that grew rich by taxing the goods that traders carried through their territory. Famous for their gold-salt trade. Their rulers would convert to Islam.

Great Schism

(1054 CE) The official split between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Great Zimbabwe

City in Southwest Africa, now in ruins, whose many stone structures were built between about 1250 and 1450 CE. It was a major trading center for gold and ivory and traded with the Swahili Coast.

ibn Battuta

(1304-1369) Muslim scholar, the most widely traveled individual of his time. He wrote a detailed account of his visits to Islamic lands from China to Spain and the western Sudan. His writings gave a glimpse into the world of that time period.

Investiture Controversy

Dispute between the pope and the Holy Roman Emperor over who held ultimate authority over the appointment of bishops. Pope Gregory excommunicated Henry IV and Henry had to beg for forgiveness; the Pope won because he had the power to excommunicate.

Mali

Founded by Sundiata, this was the second major empire of West Africa. It was famous for its role in the trans-Saharan gold/salt trade. Timbuktu was a major Muslim center of learning and trade. Mansa Musa was one of its kings.

Reconquista

Beginning in the eleventh century, military campaigns by various Christian rulers to recapture territory in Spain controlled by Muslims. In 1492, the last Muslim ruler was defeated.

Charlemagne

Crowned by the Pope as the head of the Holy Roman Empire in 800 CE. He controlled all of central Europe. His palace was at Aachen.

Swahili Coast

The east coast of Africa, populated by Bantu-speaking peoples who settled into the lives of farmers, merchants, and fishermen. This coast would give rise to multicultural trading ports along the Indian Ocean.

Malacca Strait

Important "choke point" in Indian Ocean Trade. Control of this passage meant wealth and power.

The Five Pillars

1. "There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the Prophet" 2) Prayer 5 times a day towards Mecca 3) Almsgiving 2.5 % income to charity/less fortunate 4) Fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadan 5) Pilgrimage to Mecca

Mecca

City in western Arabia; birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad, and ritual center of the Islamic religion.

Qur'an

Holy book of Islam

Shia

The branch of Islam whose members believe that the leader of Islam must be related to Muhammad. ~10% of Muslims.

Sunni

The majority branch of Islam whose members believe that that successors to Muhammad are to be chosen by the Muslim community.

Sufi

A Muslim who seeks to achieve direct contact with God through mystical means. Known for their dancing.

Abbasid Caliphate

(750-1258 CE) Became the second major Islamic dynasty. This dynasty moved the capital city to Baghdad (present-day Iraq), and was influenced by the Persians. They fought against Europe in the Crusades and eventually fell to the Mongols.

Umayyad Caliphate

(661-750 CE) The first Islamic caliphate that established a capital at Damascus, conquered North Africa, the Iberian Peninsula, and Persia. Only Arab Muslims could be a part of the government.

Delhi Sultanate

The first Muslim empire that ruled over northern India from 1206-1526 CE.

Vikings

A group that raided Europe throughout the 800s CE. Their raids led to the development of feudalism in Europe. They traveled as far as North America.

Cordoba

capital of Muslim Spain, an economic center, culture and learning flourished there

Battle of Hastings

(1066 CE) the decisive battle in which William the Conqueror (duke of Normandy) defeated the Saxons under Harold and thus left England open for the Norman Conquest

Eleanor of Aquitaine

powerful French duchess; divorced the king of France to marry Henry II of England and ruled all of England and about half of France with him.

Holy Roman Empire

Loose federation of mostly German states and principalities, headed by an emperor elected by the princes. It lasted from 962 to 1806 CE.

Saladin

Muslim general who led the Muslim forces to victory during the Third Crusade

The Council of Clermont

This was convened by Pope Urban II in 1095 for the purpose of starting the Crusades. He urged Christian warriors to stop fighting each other and pursue a worthier cause, namely retaking Jerusalem from the Muslims.

Abu Bakr

Father-in-Law of Muhammad and the first caliph after Muhammad's death. He is regarded by Sunnis rightful successor; however, the Shia regard him as a traitor. He conquered much of the Middle East.

Khadija

1st wife of the prophet Muhammad, 1st convert to Islam, a smart and successful merchant.

Leif Ericsson

Viking and Son of Eric the Red; sailed to North America in about 1000 CE and explored what is today known as Newfoundland

Muhammad

Arab prophet and founder of Islam. In 610 CE, in Mecca, he received the first of a series of revelations that would start a new religion and form the basis for the Quran.

Pope Urban II

Leader of the Roman Catholic Church who asked European Christians to take up arms against Muslims, starting the Crusades

Prince Vladimir

Ruler of Kiev from 980-1015 CE who chose for his city to embrace Greek Orthodoxy as their religion, which strengthened their ties with the Byzantine Empire.

Angkor Wat

A temple complex built in the Khmer Empire (Southeast Asia) and dedicated to the Hindu God, Vishnu. This temple complex reveals the spread of Hinduism.

Byzantine Empire

(476-1453 CE) The eastern half of the Roman Empire, which survived after the fall of the Western Empire in 476 CE. Its capital was Constantinople, named after the Emperor Constantine.