A bacterial disease that devastated many areas of the world. It's arrival in Europe in 1348 led to the deaths of millions and a profound change in society.
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Bubonic Plague
A synonym for the Black Death
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Constantinople
A city first established by the Roman Emperor Constantine in the 300's CE. It was the capital of the Byzantine Empire and later the Ottoman Empire.
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urban
Of, or pertaining to cities.
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rural
Of, or pertaining to the countryside.
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flagellants
An extremist Catholic religious movement that believed that physical punishment of the flesh (whipping) could atone for the sins of man. They believed the plague was a punishment from God.
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ghetto
Originally it referred to a specific section of a European city where Jews were allowed to reside. It was often walled off from Christian areas.
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pogrom
Term for periodic violent attacks on the Jewish population. They were especially prominent in Eastern Europe (Russia).
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anti-Semitism
The hatred of the Jewish population.
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first-hand
Something directly witnessed or experienced by the person relating it.
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second-hand
Something explained by someone who did not directly witness or experience it.
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Florentine
Of, or pertaining to the Italian city of Florence.
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vernacular
Any language spoken by the general population of a region, as opposed to Latin, the language of the Church and education.
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siege
A military tactic where an enemy is completely surrounded and starved into submission.
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Balkan Peninsula
The vast region of southeastern Europe that includes nations such as Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, and Serbia.
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antiquity
Of, or pertaining to anything ancient, or to a period of ancient history.
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Middle Ages
The European historical era following the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 CE and the beginning of the Renaissance (1400's).
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medieval
A synonym for the Middle Ages.
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transcribe
The action of copying by hand something written.
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literate
The ability to read.
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illiterate
Lacking the ability to read.
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secular
Anything that is not religious in its character or purpose.
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classical
Of, or pertaining to ancient Greece and/or ancient Rome.
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Italian Renaissance
A distinct period in the 1400's and 1500's in which there was a renewed interest in culture, art, and learning.
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papal / papacy
Of, or pertaining to the office of the Pope of the Catholic Church.
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lion's share
An expression that means the biggest and best portion of something.
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Doge
The title held by the man elected as ruling prince of the city of Venice.
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textile
Of, or pertaining to cloth or to the production of cloth.
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Medici
A powerful, wealthy family that dominated the politics of the city of Florence for much of the Renaissance.
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humanism
A Renaissance intellectual movement that rejected medieval focus on religious causes for all events and looked to Greek and Roman values for inspiration. Humanists emphasized the potential and goodness of man and sought rational ways to solve human problems.
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oligarchy
Any government dominated by a few wealthy people.
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S'forza
A powerful, wealthy family that dominated the politics of the city of Milan.
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mercenary
A soldier who fights for anyone who pays for their services.
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patron
Someone who supports the arts or a specific artist.
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liberal arts
Courses of study that focus on man and his accomplishments.
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skepticism
The philosophical belief that certain knowledge is impossible, to doubt.
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theology
The study of religion.
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ethics
The study of moral principles and behavior.
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Dark Ages
A synonym for the Middle Ages.
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philology
The study of the historical development and origin of language.
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Vatican
An independent state in the heart of the city of Rome that is ruled by the Pope. It is the center of the Catholic Church's governing authority.
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Donation of Constantine
A medieval document that was falsely claimed to be a Roman deed that gave the Catholic Church control over much of Western Europe.
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universal truths
Values that are common to all humanity, such as honesty and kindness.
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"Renaissance Man"
Term coined by Castiglione to refer to the ideal man who can do everything and do it all well.
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Flashcard (73)