Intro to AP World History - Unit 8: Byzantine Empire & Islam

What was the Byzantine Empire?

Eastern continuation of the Roman Empire centered in Constantinople

Why was Constantinople important?

It was a major trade hub connecting Europe and Asia

Who was Justinian?

Byzantine emperor who created the Justinian Code and expanded the empire

What was the Justinian Code?

A collection of laws that influenced legal systems

Who was Theodora?

A powerful empress who influenced Justinian and helped stop the Nika Revolt

What is the Hagia Sophia?

A massive church symbolizing Byzantine architecture and Christianity

What are Byzantine icons?

Religious images used in worship

What was the Nika Revolt?

A major uprising caused by high taxes and dissatisfaction with Justinian

When did the Byzantine Empire fall?

1453 when Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Turks

What was the Great Schism?

The 1054 split between Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches

What is the Roman Catholic Church?

The Western Christian church led by the Pope

What is the Eastern Orthodox Church?

The Eastern Christian church led by patriarchs

What is excommunication?

Formal removal from the Church

What is the Cyrillic alphabet?

An alphabet developed to spread Christianity in Eastern Europe

How did Byzantines influence Russia?

Through Orthodox Christianity, language, and architecture

What is Islam?

A monotheistic religion founded by Muhammad

Who was Muhammad?

The prophet who received revelations from Allah

Who is Allah?

God in Islam

What is the Qur’an?

The holy book of Islam written in Arabic

Why is Mecca important?

It is Muhammad’s birthplace and a holy city

Why is Medina important?

It is where Muhammad fled during the Hijrah

What is the Hijrah?

Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina

What is a Muslim?

A follower of Islam

What is Shari’a law?

Islamic law regulating daily life

What are the Five Pillars of Islam?

The core religious duties of Muslims

What is Shahada?

Declaration of faith in one God and Muhammad

What is Salat?

Praying five times daily facing Mecca

What is Zakat?

Giving charity to the poor

What is Sawm?

Fasting during Ramadan

What is Hajj?

Pilgrimage to Mecca

What is a caliph?

A successor to Muhammad as leader

What is a caliphate?

An Islamic state ruled by a caliph

Who were the Rightly Guided Caliphs?

The first four leaders after Muhammad

What did the Umayyad Dynasty do?

Expanded Islam and moved the capital to Damascus

What did the Abbasid Dynasty do?

Moved the capital to Baghdad and focused on learning

Why was the Battle of Tours important?

It stopped Muslim expansion into Europe

What is the difference between Sunni and Shi’a?

Sunni believe leaders should be elected, Shi’a believe leaders should be descendants of Muhammad

What is cultural diffusion?

The spread of ideas through trade and conquest

What was the House of Wisdom?

A center of learning in Baghdad preserving Greek knowledge

What is algebra?

A mathematical system developed in the Islamic world

What are Arabic numerals?

A number system adapted from India

What is an astrolabe?

A tool used for navigation and astronomy

What is calligraphy?

Artistic writing used in Islamic art

What are mosaics?

Decorative art made with small tiles

What is the Dome of the Rock?

A religious structure showing cultural blending

Who was Al-Razi?

A Muslim doctor who wrote medical encyclopedias

Who was Al-Zahrawi?

A surgeon who advanced medical practices

What caused the Great Schism?

Disagreements over authority and religious practices

What was the effect of the Great Schism?

Division of Christianity into East and West

What caused the spread of Islam?

Weak empires and strong military expansion

What was the effect of Islam’s spread?

Expansion across Africa, Europe, and Asia

What was a continuity in the Byzantine Empire?

Preservation of Greco-Roman culture

What was a change in the Islamic world?

Growth of science, math, and culture

How are Islam and Christianity similar and different?

Both are monotheistic but differ in beliefs and practices

Why were trade routes important?

They helped spread religion, goods, and ideas