Honors World History Midterm

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts, terms, and figures from Ancient Greece, Rome, and European history.

Athens

A city-state in Ancient Greece known for developing the concept of democracy.

Greek Democracy

A system of government in which citizens participated directly in decision making.

Roman Republic

A period of ancient Roman civilization characterized by a republican form of government where citizens elected representatives.

Political System

The structure of government and politics within a given region or country.

Monarchy

A form of government headed by a single ruler, usually a king or queen.

Aristocracy

A form of government controlled by a small priviledged ruling class.

Oligarchy

A form of power structure where a small number of people hold power.

Direct Democracy

A system of government in which the people directly vote on all major issues.

Senate

A legislative body of government, particularly prominent in the Roman Republic.

Judaism

The monotheistic religion of the Jewish people encompassing their beliefs and laws.

Ten Commandments

A set of biblical principles relating to ethics and worship that play a fundamental role in Judaism and Christianity.

Christianity

A monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Allah

The Arabic word for God in Islam.

Muhammad

The prophet and founder of Islam.

Islam

A monotheistic faith regarded as revealed through Muhammad as the Prophet of Allah.

Muslim

A follower of the religion of Islam.

Hijrah

The migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina.

Mosque

A place of worship for Muslims.

Haj

A pilgrimage to Mecca that is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims.

Qur'an

The holy book of Islam, believed to be a revelation from Allah.

Sunna

The traditional practices of the Islamic community based on the life and teachings of Muhammad.

Sharia

Islamic law derived from the Qur'an and the Sunna.

Caliph

A title for the chief Muslim civil and religious ruler, regarded as the successor of Muhammad.

Shi’a

One of the two main branches of Islam, which holds that Muhammad's rightful successor was his cousin and son-in-law Ali.

Sunni

The larger branch of Islam, which accepts the first four caliphs as rightful successors of Muhammad.

Byzantine Empire

The Eastern half of the Roman Empire that continued after the fall of the Western part.

Emperor Justinian

A Byzantine emperor known for his ambitious reform of the empire's administration.

Justinian Code

The codification of Roman law commissioned by Emperor Justinian.

Hagia Sophia

An architectural marvel in Istanbul; originally a cathedral, later a mosque, now a museum.

Patriarch

The head of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Icon

Religious images or representations in Byzantine culture.

Charlemagne

King of the Franks, crowned emperor of the Romans; expanded the Carolingian Empire.

Middle Ages

The period in European history from the fall of the Western Roman Empire to the beginning of the Renaissance.

Franks

A Germanic tribe that settled in present-day France and Germany.

Monastery

A community of monks living under religious vows.

Secular

Non-religious or not affiliated with religion.

Carolingian Dynasty

A Frankish noble family that rose to prominence under Charlemagne.

Feudalism

A social system that existed in Europe during the Middle Ages, characterized by the exchange of land for service.

Lord

A person with power and authority over others, particularly in a feudal system.

Fief

Land granted to a vassal by a lord in exchange for loyalty and service.

Vassal

A person granted land (a fief) by a lord in exchange for loyalty and service.

Knight

A mounted soldier of the feudal system known for their code of chivalry.

Sacrament

A religious ceremony or act regarded as an outward sign of inward grace.

Canon Law

Church law that governs the religious practices of the Christian Church.

Holy Roman Empire

A multi-ethnic complex of territories in central Europe ruled by an emperor.

Lay Investiture

The appointment of church officials by non-church authorities.

Simony

The act of selling church offices or roles.

Saladin

A Muslim military leader known for his efforts during the Crusades.

Richard the Lion-Hearted

The King of England known for his leadership during the Third Crusade.

Commercial Revolution

A period of economic expansion and trade growth in Europe.

Burgher

A member of the wealthy middle class in medieval towns.

Aquinas

A medieval philosopher whose writings influenced Christian theology.

Scholasticism

A method of critical thought which dominated teaching by the academics of medieval universities.

William the Conqueror

The first Norman King of England who initiated significant political changes.

Henry II

King of England whose reign marked the beginning of the common law system.

Common Law

A body of unwritten laws based on legal precedents established by the courts.

Magna Carta

A charter agreed to by King John of England that granted certain rights to nobles and limits the king's power.

Hugh Capet

The first king of the House of Capet, marking the beginning of a new French dynasty.

Phillip II

King of France who expanded the power and influence of the monarchy.

Estates-General

An assembly representing the three estates of the clergy, nobility, and commoners in France.

Avignon

The city where the papacy resided during the 14th century, leading to the Great Schism.

Great Schism

The division in the Roman Catholic Church into the Western and Eastern Catholic Churches.

John Wycliffe

An English theologian and early reformer who criticized church practices.

Jan Hus

A Czech reformer influenced by Wycliffe who was executed for heresy.

Hundred Years War

A series of conflicts waged between England and France over territorial disputes.

Renaissance

A cultural movement in Europe characterized by a revival of interest in art, literature, and learning.

Humanism

A Renaissance intellectual movement that emphasized the study of classical texts and human potential.

Secular

A focus on worldly rather than religious matters.

Patron

A person who supports artists, writers, or scholars, especially financially.

The Medici

A powerful Italian family known for their cultural influence during the Renaissance.

Perspective

An artistic technique used to create the illusion of depth in painting.

Michelangelo

An Italian Renaissance sculptor, painter, and architect known for works like the Sistine Chapel.

da Vinci

A polymath of the Renaissance known for his contributions to art, science, and engineering.

Petrarch

An Italian poet and scholar often regarded as the father of Humanism.

The Prince

A political treatise by Machiavelli on political power and effective rule.

Vernacular

The language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country.

Erasmus

A Dutch Renaissance humanist who criticized Church practices and sought reform.

More

Sir Thomas More, an English lawyer and statesman known for his book 'Utopia'.

Martin Luther

A German theologian who initiated the Protestant Reformation with his Ninety-Five Theses.

Indulgence

A grant by the Catholic Church that was believed to reduce the punishment for sins.

Protestant

A member of a Christian church that broke away from the Catholic Church.

Peace of Augsburg

A treaty that allowed German princes to choose the religion of their own states.

Henry VIII

King of England who initiated the English Reformation by separating from the Catholic Church.

Annul

To declare invalid, such as a marriage that is legally dissolved.

Calvinism

A Protestant theological system founded by John Calvin, emphasizing predestination.

Predestination

The belief that God has already determined who will be saved and who will be damned.

Theocracy

A system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a deity.

Catholic Reformation

The period of Catholic resurgence initiated in response to the Protestant Reformation.

Ignatius Loyola

Founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), emphasizing education and missionary work.

Council of Trent

A council convened to address and reform issues within the Catholic Church.

Heretic

A person holding beliefs or opinions that are contrary to orthodox religious doctrine.

Nation-state

A political unit in which a state coincides with a nation; an independent political entity.

Inquisition

An institution within the Catholic Church that aimed to combat heresy.

Huguenots

French Protestants who faced persecution and conflict during the Reformation.

Absolute Monarch

A king or queen who holds supreme autocratic authority.

Divine Right

The doctrine that kings derive their authority from God.

Economic Instability

Economic situations characterized by fluctuations in growth, production or economic health.

Philip II

King of Spain who ruled with absolute authority and strengthened his empire.

Religious Conflict

Disputes and wars arising from differences in religion.

Golden Age of Arts

A period marked by extraordinary achievements in literature, philosophy, and art.