unit 2 IDs

Axum

Kingdom of Ghana

Mansa Musa

Mali Empire

Trans-Saharan Trade

Byzantine Empire

The eastern counterpart of the Roman Empire was founded by Constantine (330-1453 CE) based in the Eastern Mediterranean region. The Byzantine was a flourishing empire that dominated Mediterranean trade with its capital, Constantinople, due to its strategic location that allowed maritime access and integration of trade networks. It heavily relied on religious and political authority to govern, and preserved Roman legal traditions and leaned into Greek culture and literature. 

(Note: include iconoclasm, monasticism, socioeconomics if necessary)

• Strong agricultural economy based on peasants that boosted manufacturing industries, revival of Silk Roads, silk production, merchant culture, bezant coin

• A political policy that prohibited religious images in churches was implemented for more political power over Christian influence

• Monasteries grew popular among the peasants and laity and immensely spread the religion

Constantinople

Chosen by Constantine in 330 CE to become the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Influential due to its strategic location that had access to maritime trade routes, trade harbors, and commercial ports. Additionally, it kept watch of Sassaians and Germanics. It became a popular capital that preserved Roman and Greek culture, a commercial trade hub, and religious center of Christianity. Served as a great source of economic wealth for the Byzantine Empire.

Justinian

A Byzantine emperor who reigned between 527-565 CE. Famous for ruling with his wife, Theodora, together they rebuilt Constantinople with improved infrastructure and roads, along with that, the construction of the Hagia Sophia was a feat of Byzantine wealth and devotion to Christianity. Justinian also created the Body of Civil Law: a codification and review of ancient Roman laws that were to be organized and updated in order to keep a centralized government while also preserving Roman legal structures. He also allowed many military campaigns to reconquer and reestablish Roman authority in the Mediterranean.

Caesaropapism

The concept of a religiously and politically powerful figure mainly used by the Byzantine Empire (330-1453 CE). Christianity served a strong part in politics and governance (as Constantine was the first Christian emperor), and began to be incorporated into civil administration along with controlling the church. Essentially, emperors controlled politics and the church under central authority in a large complex bureaucracy.

Iconoclasm

A political policy inaugurated by Emperor Leo in 726 CE in the Byzantine Empire. Immediately sparked controversy and public outrage due to its prohibition of religious paintings and works in churches or monasteries. As a result, many religious works had to be destroyed. It deliberately weakened the influence of churches in order to gain more political power in the central government. (lasted until 843)

Vikings

Feudalism

Charlemagne

Guilds

William of Normandy (the Conqueror)

Bubonic Plague

Saladin

Crusades

Holy Roman Empire

Reconquista