Medieval Europe – Rise and Spread of Christianity

These question-and-answer flashcards cover key people, events, concepts, dates, and consequences related to the rise and spread of Christianity in Medieval Europe, providing a comprehensive review for exam preparation.

For which years is the Medieval Period generally taken in Europe?

About 500 CE to 1500 CE.

What does the Latin term medium aevum, from which ‘medieval’ is derived, mean?

Middle age.

Into which two kingdoms did Israel split after King Solomon’s death?

Israel and Judah.

When did Judaea become an imperial province of Rome and under which emperor?

In 6 CE, under Emperor Augustus.

Why were many Jews awaiting a messiah during Roman rule?

They hoped a divinely sent leader would free them and restore Israel’s past glory.

Where was Jesus born and where did he grow up?

Born in Bethlehem; grew up in Nazareth.

Which trade did Jesus learn from his earthly father Joseph?

Carpentry.

Who baptized Jesus and launched his public ministry?

St. John the Baptist.

Between which years did Jesus preach across Judaea and Galilee?

Approximately 30 CE – 33 CE.

Under whose authority was Jesus crucified?

Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect of Judaea.

Which Christian holy day commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus?

Good Friday.

What event celebrated as Easter convinced Jesus’s followers he was the Messiah?

His Resurrection—rising from the dead on the third day.

What does the term ‘Christ’ literally mean and from which language?

‘Anointed one’ or ‘messiah,’ from the Greek word christos.

Name any two of the four canonical Gospels that record Jesus’s life and teachings.

Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John (any two).

What are parables and why did Jesus use them?

Short stories from everyday life used to convey moral and spiritual lessons.

State two core teachings of Jesus.

Unconditional love for God and true love for one’s neighbour—including enemies.

How many apostles did Jesus choose and what was their mission?

Twelve; to spread his teachings to distant lands.

Which apostle is traditionally credited with bringing Christianity to India?

Thomas (St. Thomas the Apostle).

What two parts make up the Christian Bible?

The Old Testament and the New Testament.

In which year did Constantine I issue the Edict of Milan, and what did it do?

313 CE; it legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire.

Name the new imperial capital Constantine I built and its modern name.

Constantinople; today’s Istanbul.

Which emperor made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire and when?

Theodosius I in 392 CE.

Who became the spiritual head of Christians after the religion’s official adoption?

The Pope, headquartered at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

List two Germanic tribes involved in the ‘barbarian invasions’ of Rome.

Visigoths, Vandals, or Franks (any two).

Which Central Asian confederation’s pressure pushed Germanic tribes into Roman lands?

The Huns.

Who deposed the last Western Roman emperor in 476 CE, and what title did he take?

Odoacer; he became the first ‘King of Italy.’

After 395 CE, what were the two halves of the Roman Empire called?

The Western Roman Empire and the Eastern (Byzantine) Empire.

Give two ways monasteries influenced medieval European society.

They served as centres of learning and provided shelter/aid to travellers and the poor.

Which two English universities trace their roots to monastic schools?

The University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.

What term is used for women who devoted their lives to God in Christianity?

Nuns.

What was the primary cause of the First Crusade in 1096 CE?

To recapture Jerusalem and aid Constantinople after Turkish advances.

Approximately how many major Crusades were fought between the 11th and 18th centuries?

Eight major Crusades.

Name one military or technological skill Europeans learned from the Turks during the Crusades.

The use of gunpowder and guns.

How did the Crusades help spur the Renaissance?

By exposing Europeans to Greek learning and rich Eastern cultures, stimulating new ideas.

State one economic consequence of the Crusades for Europe.

Opening of new trade routes that boosted commerce and urban growth.