World History Vocab

Study Flashcards

Agora

A public square in ancient Greece used for gathering, trade, and discussion.

Astrolabe

An ancient tool used for finding the position of stars and navigating at sea.

Commerce

The activity of buying and selling goods and services.

Democracy

A system of government where people have the power to make decisions, often through voting.

Excommunication

Being officially excluded from participation in church activities.

Feudalism

A system where land is owned by lords and worked by peasants or serfs in exchange for protection.

GRAPES

An acronym for Geography, Religion, Achievements, Politics, Economics, and Social structure — used to study societies.

Guild

An organization of people with the same job or trade, ensuring quality and training.

Hoplites

Ancient Greek soldiers who fought in a phalanx group formation.

Knights

Trained soldiers in medieval Europe who served a lord and followed a code of chivalry.

Manorialism

The economic system in medieval Europe where peasants or serfs worked the lord’s estate.

Monotheism

The belief in one god.

Monarchy

A type of government where a king or queen rules.

Mosaic

Art made by arranging small pieces of stone or glass to form images or patterns.

Oligarchy

A government where a small group of people or families holds power.

Polytheism

The belief in many gods.

Qadis

Judges in Islamic law.

Serfs

Peasants who worked land for a lord and were not free to leave.

Vassal

A person who received land or protection from a lord in exchange for service.