World History Unit 1 — Roman Empire & Early Middle Ages

Vocabulary flashcards covering major historical terms, figures, systems, and concepts from the Roman Empire and Early Middle Ages based on the lecture notes.

Rome

Center of the Roman Empire that controlled much of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

Clovis I

First king to unite the Franks who converted to Christianity.

Charles Martel

Leader who defeated Muslim forces at the Battle of Tours in 732 CE.

Charlemagne

Also known as 'Charles the Great', a powerful Carolingian ruler who built a large empire, was crowned Emperor by the Pope in 800 CE, and promoted Christianity and education.

Franks

Germanic people who settled in modern France and parts of Germany and created a powerful kingdom.

Feudalism

Medieval political/social system based on land exchanged for loyalty and military service.

Vassal

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

Feudal Contract

Agreement between a lord and vassal.

Fief

Land given to a vassal by a lord.

Knight

Trained mounted warrior who served a lord.

Chivalry

Knights' code of honor emphasizing bravery, loyalty, honor, and respect.

Manor

Large estate with farmland, a village, and peasant homes.

Pope

Head of the Roman Catholic Church.

Bishop

Church leader over a region or diocese.

Cardinal

Senior church leader who advises the Pope and helps choose a new Pope.

Penance

Act of showing repentance for sins.

Sacraments

Sacred church ceremonies such as baptism and marriage.

Natural Law

Belief that moral rules and rights come from nature and human reason.

Thomas Aquinas

Important thinker who developed natural-law and Scholastic ideas.

Habeas Corpus

Protection against unlawful imprisonment that requires legal review of detention.

Patricians

Wealthy Roman landowners.

Plebeians

Farmers, artisans, and merchants who made up most Roman citizens.

Julius Caesar

Leader who won civil wars and was declared dictator for life, helping end the Roman Republic.

Augustus

Caesar's nephew Octavian whose rule began the Pax Romana.

Pax Romana

Long period of peace and prosperity in the Roman Empire.

Paupers

Poor or powerless people.

Monasteries

Institutions that preserved and spread knowledge, taught reading, writing, and religion, and supported the poor, sick, and aged.

Scholasticism

System that combined religion and worldly subjects using human reason and logic.

Universities

Medieval centers of learning, with Paris and Bologna becoming important universities.

Gothic Architecture

Architectural style that allowed taller cathedrals and large stained-glass windows to show the power and glory of God.

Crop Rotation

System where different crops were planted in different cycles to replenish soil nutrients and increase output.

Roger Bacon

English philosopher/scientist who supported experimental science, studied astronomy, optics, and light, worked with lenses/glasses, and developed a camera for observing a solar eclipse.

Magna Carta

'Great Charter' that limited the king's power and defined obligations between the king and barons.