Test Unit 4: Religious Empires Study Guide

Constantine the Great

roman emperor from 306 to 337 CE, who moved the capital of the Roman Empire Byzantium, later named Constantinople

Constantinople

capital city of the Roman Empire after being moved by Constantine, now known as Istanbul

Byzantium Empire

eastern part of Roman Empire after the empire was split, known for wealth & stability

Theodosius II

Roman Empire who paid tribute to Attila the Hun in attempts to prevent invasions

Attila the Hun

leader of the Huns, known for his invasions & interactions w/ Roman territories

Germanic Migration

movements of Germanic peoples, which caused welfare & the fall of the Western Roman Empire

Orthodox Christianity

form of Christianity practiced by the Byzantine Empire, influencing its culture & politics

Justinian Code

collection of laws & legals interpretations developed under the sponsorship of the Byzantine emperor Justinian that influenced the frame work of legal systems today

Monotheism

the belief in a single, all-powerful God

Hijra

migration of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, marking the beginning of the Islamic calendar

Caliphate

Islamic state led by a caliph, who is political & religious leader

Caliph

successor to the Prophet Muhammad & a leader of an Islamic state

Islamic Golden Age

period of cultural, economic, & scientific flourishing in the Islamic world, during the Abbasid caliphate

Comparison of Eastern & Western Empires of Rome

Western Empire:

1. Capital-Rome

2. Struggled financially

3. Roman culture/language

4. Development of Roman Catholic Church

5. Vulnerable to Germanic expression

6. Frequent change in leadership & weaker administrative

Eastern Empire:

1. Capital-Constantinople (Istanbul)

2. Wealthier due to trade routes

3. Greek culture/language

4. Development of Orthodox Church

5. Able to protect borders (Constantinople)

6. Political stability & strong leadership

How did the Eastern Roman (Byzantium) Empire survive despite the fall of Rome?

-geography

-political stability

-economic success

-defensive advantages

How was the Byzantium Empire able to have such longevity lasting into the Middle Ages?

The Byzantine Empire lasted so long due to its strong leadership, adaptable military, strategic diplomacy, solid economy, and cultural unity. Despite internal struggles and external threats, its ability to adjust and maintain stability allowed it to survive for over a thousand years. (I USED AI TO ANSWER THIS)

Islamic Advancements in Science & Medicine

Islamic Science & Medicine:

-major advances in health sciences during the Golden Age

-hospitals offered care to all social classes

-books like Ibn Sina's “The Canon of Medicine” were influential

Islamic Medicine in the West:

-ideas like quarantine & clinical trials emerged

-surgical methods improved medical practices

-ethics in medicine were emphasized by Islamic soldiers

Islamic Advancements in Art & Architecture

-rich diversity in artistic expressions over 1400 years

-key features include geometric patterns & caligraphy

-famous structures like Alhambra (Granada, Spain)

Islamic Advancements in Philosophy

West Islam Philosophy:

-preserved many Greek writings

-scholars like Averroes shared ideas from Aristotle

-helped to eventually spark the European Renaissance

Islamic Lit & Philosophy

-Rich tradition of poetry and philosophical thought.

-Prominent figures in literiture include Rumi and Al-Ghazali.

-Their works continue to influence literature today.

Islamic Advancements in Mathematics & Science

-introduction Hindu-Arabic numerals & the concept of 0'

-Al-Khwarizmi is known as the “father of algebra”

-significant advancements in astronomy & geography

Islamic Advancements in Education

-madrassas emerged as key learning centers

-offered a wide curriculum including theology & science

-influenced the developments of modern universities