ApEuro summer vocabulary

Angles and Saxons

Germanic tribes that migrated to Britain during the early medieval period. Their settlement played a crucial role in the formation of early English culture and society.

Franks

Germanic people who settled in France and neighboring regions, establishing a significant medieval kingdom under leaders like Clovis. They played a key role in the rise of Christian Europe and influenced the development of modern France.

Holy Roman empire

A multi-ethnic complex of territories in central Europe that existed from the medieval period until 1806, known for its attempt to revive the legacy of the ancient Roman Empire and for being a significant political entity during the Middle Ages. One emperor being Charlemagne.

Feudalism

A social and economic system that dominated medieval Europe, characterized by the allocation of land in exchange for service and loyalty, creating a hierarchy of lords, vassals, and serfs.

Vassals

individuals who held land from a lord in exchange for military service and loyalty, forming a key component of the feudal system.

Serfs

Peasants who were bound to the land and subject to the lords, required to provide labor, goods, and services in exchange for protection and the right to work a portion of the land.

Scholasticism

A method of critical thought and learning that sought to reconcile faith and reason during the Middle Ages, often associated with medieval universities.

The Seven Sacraments

The Seven Sacraments are the essential rites in the Christian tradition, believed to impart divine grace. They include Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction / Last Rites, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.

Excommunication

the formal exclusion from participation in the sacraments and services of the Christian Church, often used as a penalty for serious offenses against the Church.

Interdictation

a church penalty that prohibits the performance of sacraments and religious services in a particular area, effectively placing a community under a form of excommunication.

1st estate

Ordained officers of the Church (Pope, parish, priest, wandering monk)

2nd estate

nobles and aristocrats who held land and power, serving in military roles and often providing protection to the lower classes.

3rd estate

commoners and the majority of the population, including peasants, workers, and the bourgeoisie, who had few privileges and paid most of the taxes.

Guild system

A structure of regulated trade organizations formed by artisans and merchants to oversee and protect their collective interests, ensuring quality and training for their respective crafts.

Bourgeoisie

the middle class in society, typically comprising merchants, industrialists, and professionals who often owned the means of production and played a significant role in the economic and political landscape, particularly during the transition to capitalism.

Renaissance

a cultural and intellectual movement originating in Italy during the 14th to 17th centuries, characterized by a revival of interest in classical art, literature, and humanism, leading to significant developments in various fields including science, philosophy, and the arts.

Humanism

a philosophical and ethical stance emphasizing the value and agency of human beings, focusing on the study of classical texts and the importance of education in shaping moral and civic virtue.

Classical Era

a period in ancient history, particularly in Greece and Rome, marked by advancements in art, philosophy, and governance, laying the foundation for Western civilization.

Humanists

individuals during the Renaissance who embraced humanism, emphasizing classical teachings and the importance of human values in education, literature, and philosophy.

Secular

pertaining to worldly rather than religious matters, often associated with the separation of religion from political, social, and educational institutions.

Individualism

the belief in the importance of individual identity and self-expression, emphasizing personal autonomy and the pursuit of individual goals, often seen as a hallmark of Renaissance thought.

Petrarch

An Italian poet and scholar, often regarded as the "father of humanism." He revived interest in classical literature and emphasizes the importance of personal experience and emotion in poetry.

Vernacular

the language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region, especially in literature during the Renaissance.

Giovanni Pico della Mirandola

an Italian Renaissance philosopher known for his work "Oration on the Dignity of Man," which argues for human potential and free will.

Leonardo Bruni

an Italian humanist, historian, and statesman who was a key figure in the revival of Greek and Roman literature during the Renaissance, known for his work "History of the Florentine People."

Civic humanism

a form of humanism that emphasizes the responsibility of citizens to actively engage in their communities, promoting civic virtue and moral leadership.

Baldassare Castiglione

an Italian courtier and diplomat, best known for his work "The Book of the Courtier," which outlines the ideal attributes of a courtier and the nature of courtly life during the Renaissance.

Niccolo Machiavelli

an Italian Renaissance political philosopher known for his influential work "The Prince," which advises rulers on power acquisition and preservation.

Geometric perspective

a technique that creates the illusion of depth and three-dimensionality on a flat surface, used extensively in Renaissance art.

Filippo Brunelleschi

a key figure in developing linear perspective and architectural techniques during the Renaissance, notably known for designing the dome of the Florence Cathedral.

Donatello

a prominent Italian sculptor of the Renaissance, known for his works in bas-relief and his ability to create expressive figures, notably the bronze statue of David.

Leonardo da Vinci

an influential artist and scientist of the Renaissance, renowned for masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, and contributions to various fields including anatomy and engineering.

Michelangelo

a Renaissance artist renowned for his sculptures, paintings, and contributions to architecture, best known for the Sistine Chapel ceiling and the statue of David.

Raphael

a key figure of the High Renaissance, celebrated for his paintings such as The School of Athens and his harmonious compositions, which exemplify Renaissance ideals of beauty and perspective.

Northern Renaissance

a cultural and artistic movement in Northern Europe during the late 14th to early 17th centuries, characterized by a focus on realism, detail, and the incorporation of classical themes, differing from the southern Renaissance.

Albrecht Dürer

a German painter and engraver of the Northern Renaissance, known for his detailed works and mastery of printmaking, particularly famous for works like "Melencolia I" and his self-portraits.

Jan van Eyck

a Flemish painter of the Northern Renaissance, renowned for his detailed oil paintings, including the famous "Arnolfini Portrait" and contributions to early Renaissance techniques.

Pieter Bruegel the Elder

a Dutch Renaissance painter known for his vibrant landscapes and peasant scenes, emphasizing the human condition and everyday life, with notable works including "The Harvesters" and "The Peasant Wedding."

Rembrandt

a Dutch painter and etcher of the Baroque period, celebrated for his mastery in light and shadow, with masterpieces such as "The Night Watch" and numerous self-portraits.

Christian humanists

scholars of the Renaissance who sought to blend classical learning with Christian faith, emphasizing the importance of moral philosophy and the study of ancient texts to reform society.

Desiderius Erasmus

a Dutch philosopher and humanist of the Renaissance, known for his critiques of the Church and advocacy for education and religious reform, best known for works like "The Praise of Folly."

Thomas More

an English lawyer, social philosopher, and author best known for his book "Utopia," which presents a vision of a perfect society based on communal ownership and religious tolerance.

Moveable type

a printing technology developed in the 15th century that allowed individual letters to be rearranged and reused, significantly revolutionizing the spread of information and literature during the Renaissance.

Johannes Gutenberg

a German inventor and printer who played a key role in the invention of movable type printing, leading to the mass production of books and the spread of knowledge in Europe.

Printing press

a mechanical device developed in the 15th century that uses movable type to produce text and images on paper, greatly enhancing the dissemination of literature and ideas across Europe.

Gutenberg Bible

the first major book printed using movable type, produced by Johannes Gutenberg around 1455. It marked a significant advancement in the availability of printed materials.

Vernacular literature

literature written in the native language of a region, as opposed to Latin or Greek, which helped make texts more accessible to the general population during the Renaissance.

Martin Luther

a German theologian and key figure in the Protestant Reformation. He challenged the teachings of the Catholic Church, particularly regarding indulgences, and is best known for his Ninety-Five Theses.