Trade, Religion, and the Renaissance in Europe

Silk Road

Ancient trade routes connecting East and West.

Bubonic Plague

Deadly disease that killed over 25 million in Europe.

Feudal System

Land management system involving local lords and kings.

Humanism

Emphasis on human potential and achievements.

Renaissance

Period of cultural rebirth in Europe.

Monotheism

Belief in one God, seen in major religions.

Polytheism

Belief in multiple gods, common in ancient cultures.

Three Universal Truths

Core beliefs of impermanence and self-change.

Four Noble Truths

Buddhist principles addressing suffering and its cessation.

Eightfold Path

Guidelines for ethical and mental development in Buddhism.

Sect

A subgroup within a larger religious tradition.

Divine

Pertaining to God or gods, often with sacred qualities.

Infrastructure

Basic structures essential for societal operation.

Cultural Exchange

Interaction between different cultures, sharing ideas and goods.

Enslaved People

Individuals forced into servitude against their will.

Mediterranean Trade

Major trade routes connecting Europe, Africa, and Asia.

The Middle Ages

Historical period marked by feudalism and cultural stagnation.

The Columbian Exchange

Cultural and biological exchanges post-Columbus' voyage.

Spices from East Indies

Valuable trade goods sought after in Europe.

Glass Beads from Rome

Luxury items traded across ancient routes.

Furs from Caucasian Steppe

Animal pelts traded for various goods.

Faith

Complete trust or confidence in a belief system.

Deity

A god or goddess with divine attributes.