Byzantine Empire, Rise of Islam, and Early Russia

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering the Byzantine Empire, the origins and expansion of Islam, Islamic culture, and the formation of early Russia based on lecture notes.

Byzantine Empire

The Eastern Roman Empire, which was started by Constantine.

Constantinople

The capital of the Byzantine Empire and an important trade port, referred to as the "Queen of the Mediterranean."

Justinian

One of the most famous Byzantine emperors who tried to restore the greatness of the Roman Empire, defeated the Vandals, captured Italy, and brought Roman law to its greatest extent.

Theodora

The wife of Justinian who gave advice to her husband and convinced him to stay during the Nika Revolt.

Nika Revolt

A revolt against Justinian in which he almost fled before his wife convinced him to stay.

Justinian Code

A legal compilation that clarified Roman legal principles and preserved the heritage of the Roman legal system.

Hagia Sophia

A church meaning "Holy Wisdom" that is considered the finest example of Byzantine architecture.

Eastern Orthodox Church

The church that started in the Byzantine Empire, became the state church, used icons, and had the patriarch of Constantinople as its most influential character.

Icons

Painted images of Christ and the saints used in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Greek Fire

A weapon used by the Byzantines consisting of a mixture of chemicals that would explode and set things on fire.

Basil II

A successful Byzantine military emperor known as the "Bulgar Slayer."

Seljuk Turks

A group that adopted Arab culture and Islam, and conquered Asia Minor in 1071 at the Battle of Manzikert.

Crusades

Expeditions meant to help protect Constantinople from the Muslims, which also weakened the Seljuk Turks.

Ottoman Turks

The group that took control after the Seljuk Turks were weakened and took over the Byzantine Empire.

Cyril & Methodius

Missionaries to the Slavic people who gave them a written language.

Mosaic

An art form created by inlaying pieces of glass or stone in wet cement.

Arabia

The region known as the "Cradle of Islam."

Arabs

People who trace their lineage to Abraham through Ishmael, fulfilling God's promise to make a great nation.

Bedouins

Groups of nomads that traveled through Arabia.

Muhammad

A prophet born in Arabia whose name means "highly praised"; received a vision from the angel Gabriel, claimed to be the last and greatest prophet of Allah, and whose teachings formed the basis for Islam.

Kaaba

A center for worship whose most famous attraction was a black stone that Muslims would walk around and kiss as a form of worship.

Hegira

The "Flight" in 622 when Muhammad and his followers fled from persecution in Mecca to Medina.

Koran

The sacred book of the Muslims, meaning "recitations," compiled from Muhammad's teachings and consisting of 114 suras.

Five Pillars of Islam

The five central requirements of Islam: 1. Confessing there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet, 2. Praying 5 times a day facing Mecca, 3. Giving alms to the poor, 4. Fasting during Ramadan, and 5. Taking a pilgrimage to Mecca.

Caliphs

Meaning "successors," these individuals directed the affairs of Islam following the death of Muhammad.

Abu Bakr

The first Caliph, who initiated a policy of military conquest and rapidly expanded the Islamic empire.

Jihad

"Holy war" used to unite warring Arab tribes to defend the honor of Islam with their swords.

Umayyads

A hereditary Muslim dynasty that moved the capital to Damascus and whose advance was stopped at the Battle of Tours.

Abbasid Caliphate

The peak of the Muslim empire, established after Abbas, a descendant of Muhammad's uncle, overthrew the Umayyads.

Al-Razi

A Muslim doctor known for his work with smallpox.

Ibn Sina

A Muslim doctor best known for his work with tuberculosis.

Omar Khayyam

The most renowned Muslim poet, noted in the lecture notes as the author who wrote the Arabian Nights.

Calligraphy

The art of beautiful writing popularized by Muslims.

Mosques

Places of Muslim worship that serve as the best example of Muslim architecture.

Slavs

Peoples who played a major role in establishing the early Russian state, divided into three parts including the West Slavs (Poles and Czechs).

Varangians

Swedish Norsemen who plundered Slavic villages.

Rurik

A Varangian warrior who gained control of Novgorod and established the first ruling dynasty of Russia.

Kiev

The city that became the center of Russia.

Vladimir

The ruler who adopted Orthodox Christianity for Russia and destroyed pagan idols.

Yaroslaw the Wise

The ruler who brought Kiev to its height.