Concept of the Middle Ages in History

Flashcards covering the concept of the Middle Ages, antique culture, barbarians, feudalism, humanism, and medieval periodization based on lecture notes.

Antique Culture

An integrated system of traditions, values, ideas, and ideals of ancient Greek and Roman cultures, recognized as one of the main hearths of human civilization.

Collapse of Rome

The historical event that directly brought about the downfall and destruction of Antique culture in Europe.

Dark Ages

The period in Europe from the collapse of antique culture to the Renaissance, named so by humanists because ancient art, philosophy, and science were forgotten, architectural monuments were destroyed, and cruelty and ignorance prevailed.

Barbarians

A term originating from Ancient Greece for foreign non-Greek-speaking peoples, later applied by Romans to tribes beyond their borders—including northern Germanic tribes who destroyed Roman order and culture.

Barbarian Peoples

Peoples living outside the Roman state—including Germanic tribes, Celts (Britons, Scots, Picts), and Slavs—who had their own history and homeland, resided in lands not subject to Rome, and engaged in cattle breeding and farming.

Feudalism

A new social system based on conditional landownership that emerged in Europe following the fall of Rome from the synthesis of antique and barbarian traditions.

Development of Feudalism

The historical process during which interest in antique art and science re-emerged, leading to the gradual restoration of ancient science, painting, and architecture.

Renaissance (Rebirth)

The medieval period during which the works of antique philosophers were recalled and classical culture, science, and art were revived.

Humanists

Public figures and writers who led the revival of antique culture and science and defended individual human interests.

Humanist (Etymology)

Term derived from the Latin word "humanus", meaning humane or humanity.

Humanist View on the Fall of Western Rome

The belief among humanists that the fall of the Western Roman Empire directly resulted in the collapse of antique culture and science.

Middle Ages (Concept)

The era in human history situated between the Antique period and the New era, spanning from the end of the 5th century AD to the middle of the 17th century.

Flavio Biondo (1392-1463)

An Italian humanist and historian who was the first to introduce the concept of the "Middle Ages" into scientific study.

Beginning of the Middle Ages

Historical milestone marked by the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the collapse of slave-owning society at the end of the 5th century AD.

End of the Middle Ages

Historical milestone marked by the English revolution in the middle of the 17th century, which paved the way for a new society.

Early Middle Ages

The period from the 5th century to the middle of the 11th century, characterized by Germanic invasions of Western Rome, mass migration, creation of new European states, formation of feudal society and monarchies, and strengthening church influence.

11th Century Christian Schism

The division of the Christian church at the beginning of the 11th century into the Western (Catholic) and Eastern (Orthodox) churches.

High Middle Ages

The period from the middle of the 11th century to the 15th century, marked by the flourishing of cities, political and economic changes, and strict control of human spiritual life, culture, science, and education by the Catholic Church.

Late Middle Ages

The period from the second half of the 15th century to the middle of the 17th century, characterized by the crisis of absolutism, revolutions for personal rights, religious Reformation, humanist ideology, and Great Geographical Discoveries.

New World

The name given by Europeans during the Late Middle Ages to the newly encountered continent of America following the Great Geographical Discoveries.