Prehistory, Early Civilizations, and Medieval Concepts

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts from the study of prehistoric, early civilizations, and significant medieval developments.

Neolithic Period

The transition from nomadic life to settled farming, leading to the first villages and domestication of plants and animals.

Mesopotamia

An ancient civilization known for developing writing, centralized power, monumental architecture, and structured religions.

First Cities

Early urban centers emerging around 4000 BCE with walls, markets, temples, and serving as trade and governance centers.

Ziggurat

A temple in Mesopotamia that served both religious and political functions.

Athenian Democracy

A political system where citizens voted directly on laws, initiated in the 5th century BCE in Athens.

Atrium

A central courtyard in Greek and Roman homes serving both public and private areas.

Roman Empire

A powerful republic that transformed into an empire, known for law, military organization, roads, and urban planning.

Political Propaganda

Methods used by Roman emperors to spread their images and legitimize their power, including monuments and coins.

Bread and Circus

A Roman policy to maintain social order by distracting the public with free food and mass entertainment.

Islam

A monotheistic religion founded by Muhammad in the 7th century.

Muslim

A follower of Islam, meaning 'one who submits to God'.

Arab

An ethnic group from the Arabian Peninsula.

Berber

Indigenous North African peoples who participated in the Islamic conquest of Spain.

Al-Andalus

The name for Muslim-ruled Iberia from 711 to 1492, known for its religious tolerance and cultural flourishing.

Huerta

Irrigated farmland around a city, particularly in Valencia, developed using Islamic agricultural techniques.

Alquería

A rural farmhouse or small community during the Islamic period, part of the agrarian landscape.

Acequia

A canal used in Islamic irrigation systems.

Azud

A small dam or weir built to raise water levels for irrigation.

Noria

A waterwheel used for lifting water in irrigation.

Tapial

A durable and eco-friendly building technique using rammed earth in Islamic architecture.

Madrasa

An Islamic educational institution.

Hammam

A public bath in Islamic society.

Fonduq

An inn or trading lodge commonly used by merchants.

Souk

A marketplace in Islamic cities, often divided by the types of goods sold.

Mosque

A place of worship for Muslims, often featuring a courtyard and a prayer hall.

James I 'The Conqueror'

King of Aragon who led the Christian conquest of Valencia in 1238.

Llibre del Repartiment

'Book of Distribution' recording land allocation to Christian nobles after the conquest.

Christian Conquest

Military campaigns such as the Reconquista, removing Muslim control from regions in Spain.

Feudalism

A political and social system where land was exchanged for military service among lords, vassals, and peasants.

Keep Tower

The most fortified part of a castle, used as a refuge during attacks.

Guilds

Organizations of artisans or merchants that regulated trade and protected members in medieval cities.

Moriscos

Muslims who converted to Christianity, often under pressure, after the Reconquista.

Call

A Jewish neighborhood or quarter, usually segregated from the rest of the population.

Irrigated Landscapes

Agricultural areas enhanced by Islamic irrigation techniques.

New Cities

Post-conquest urban areas adapted from Islamic infrastructures featuring Christian buildings.

Valencia

A city demonstrating the transformation from Islamic to Christian feudal society.

Roman Museum

A Valencia museum showcasing Roman artifacts reflecting the city's history.

La Lonja

A Gothic building in Valencia symbolizing the city's power in silk trade.

Carmen Convent

A former convent representing the transformation of Islamic spaces into Christian sites.

Al-Andalus Achievements

The period noted for cultural, scientific, and agricultural advancements in Muslim-ruled Iberia.

Agricultural Zone

An area developed using Islamic innovations for irrigation.

Islamic Irrigation System

Techniques employed to efficiently manage water for agricultural cultivation.

Water Wheel

A device used to lift water for irrigation, powered by animals or currents.

Rammed Earth Construction

A resilient construction technique seen in many Islamic architectural designs.

Public Bathhouse

An important facility for hygiene and social interaction in Islamic cities.

Trading Lodge

A place where merchants could lodge and store goods during travels.

Marketplace

A central marketplace where various goods are sold, indicative of economic activity.

Early Mosque Design

The architectural style inspired by Muhammad's house in Medina.

Reconquista

The period of Christian recovery of territory from Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula.

Social Hierarchy of Feudalism

A structured society divided into lords, vassals, and peasants based on landholding.

Defense Mechanism of Castles

Strategies including the Keep Tower which served as a military refuge.

Organized Labor

The establishment of guilds that controlled production and trade in medieval cities.

Expulsions of Moriscos

The later marginalization and displacement of Muslims who converted to Christianity.

Jewish Quarters

Areas of a medieval city designated for Jewish residency under specific regulations.