western civ quick terms

Constantine –

Roman emperor who helped make Christianity legal and supported its spread.

Constantinople

Capital city of the Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Empire.

Justinian’s Code

A written collection of Roman laws that organized and preserved legal principles.

Abrahamic Faiths 

– Religions that trace their roots to Abraham: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Moses –

Biblical prophet who led the Hebrews out of slavery in Egypt.

Monotheism 

belief in only one god

Pax Romana 

A long period of peace and stability in the Roman Empire that helped ideas travel safely.

Gospels

Books in the New Testament that record the life and teachings of Jesus.

Judeo-Christian Tradition

The idea that Western values were influenced by both Jewish and Christian beliefs.

Feudalism –

– A political system where lords gave land to vassals in exchange for loyalty and military service.

Manorial System –

An economic system based around self-sufficient farming estates called manors.

Serfs –

Peasants who worked the land and were tied to their lord’s manor

Battle of tours

A battle that stopped Muslim armies from advancing further into Western Europe

Investiture Controversy

A conflict between popes and kings over who had the authority to appoint church officials.

Peasants’ Revolt

 – An uprising in England where serfs challenged unfair treatment by the nobility.