Key Vocabulary from the Renaissance to the Inca Empire

These flashcards cover key vocabulary from the Renaissance to the Inca Empire, including important figures, concepts, events, and terms from history.

Bubonic Plague

Deadly disease (Black Death) that killed 1/3 of Europe between 1347–1351.

Mongols

Nomadic horsemen from Central Asia who created the largest land empire in history.

Renaissance

'Rebirth' of art, culture, and learning inspired by ancient Greece and Rome.

Gers

Round, portable felt tents used by Mongol families.

Filippo Brunelleschi

Architect who designed the dome of Florence.

Genghis Khan

Leader who united the Mongol tribes and started the Mongol Empire.

Florence

City where the Renaissance began; center of banking, trade, and art.

Khanates

Four regions the Mongol Empire was divided into after Genghis Khan’s death.

Patrons

Wealthy people who financially supported artists (ex. Medici family).

Kublai Khan

Mongol ruler of China; founded the Yuan Dynasty.

Medici

Powerful banking family in Florence who sponsored (funded) Renaissance art.

Pax Mongolica

'Mongol Peace'; period of safe travel and trade across the Mongol Empire.

Commission

To pay an artist to create artwork.

Marco Polo

European traveler who visited China and described the Mongol Empire.

Johannes Gutenberg

Inventor of the printing press → increased literacy.

Humanism

Focus on human potential, learning, and individual achievement.

Characteristics of Renaissance Art

Realism, perspective, classical influence, emotion, geometrical, light and shadowing effect.

Da Vinci

Renaissance artist of Mona Lisa and Last Supper; inventor + scientist.

Raphael

Renaissance artist who painted School of Athens.

Michelangelo

Renaissance artist who sculpted David and painted Sistine Chapel ceiling.

Sandro Botticelli

Renaissance artist who painted Birth of Venus.

Ghazis

Muslim warrior-fighters of the Ottoman Empire.

Osman

Founder of the Ottoman Empire.

Sultan

Supreme ruler of the Ottoman Empire.

Constantinople/Istanbul

City conquered by Ottomans in 1453 and renamed Istanbul.

Mehmed II

Ottoman ruler who conquered Constantinople using gunpowder cannons.

Gunpowder

Explosive material first developed in China; changed warfare (cannons, firearms).

Silk Roads

Series of ancient trade routes that spread goods and ideas across Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Maritime

Sea-based trade and travel across the Indian Ocean.

Mali

West African empire wealthy from gold-salt trade.

Mansa Musa

King of Mali; richest man in history; spread Islam on his hajj to Mecca.

Songhai

West African empire that replaced Mali and controlled trade.

Sunni Ali

Songhai’s first great leader; expanded empire with military force.

Askia Muhammad the Great

Songhai ruler who promoted Islamic law, scholarship, and government.

Bureaucracy

Government with different departments managed by trained officials.

Timbuktu

City of trade and Islamic learning; universities and libraries.

Mamluks

Muslim warrior class in Egypt; defeated the Mongols.

Salt and Gold

Main trade system: Saharan salt traded for West African gold.

Dhows

Boats with triangular sails used for Indian Ocean trade.

Swahili

East African culture and language blending African + Arab influences.

Kilwa

Wealthy Swahili city-state controlling coastal trade.

Menelik

Legendary first king of Ethiopia; claimed descent from King Solomon.

Coptic Christian

Type of Christianity practiced in Ethiopia and Egypt.

Lalibela Churches

Large stone churches carved out of solid rock in Ethiopia.

Geoglyphs

Large ground designs like the Nazca Lines in Peru.

Cusco

Capital city of the Inca Empire.

Terraced

Farming method with step-like fields carved into mountains.

Inti

The Inca sun god; most important deity.

Pachacuti

Inca emperor who expanded the empire.

Machu Picchu

Sacred mountain city built by the Inca.

Quipu

Knotted rope system used to record information.

Feudalism

System where land is exchanged for loyalty; manors were self-sufficient.

Guild

Group of craftsmen who controlled training, prices, and product quality.

Vassal

Person who received land in exchange for service and loyalty to a lord.

Great Famine

Food shortages in Europe (1315–1322).