Medieval Age: Setting the Stage Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, dates, and historical figures from the lecture notes on the Medieval age.

Medieval

Literally meaning "Middle Ages," it refers to the historical era between the fall of Rome and the Reformation, spanning approximately 500-1500 AD.

Dark Ages

A term used by many to describe the Medieval period due to low standards of living and growing corruption in the church.

Age of Faith

The Roman Catholic term for the Medieval period, referring to an era when nations were led by the church in faith.

Fall of Rome

The event in 476 AD that marks the beginning of the Medieval age in the West, when Romulus Augustus was deposed by Odoacer.

Romulus Augustus

The Western Roman Emperor who was deposed by Odoacer in 476 AD.

Odoacer

The ruler who deposed Western Emperor Romulus Augustus in 476 AD.

Byzantine East

The Eastern portion of the Roman Empire that remained active after the fall of the West until 1453 AD.

Barbarians

Foreigners considered "uncivilized" by Romans (non-Romans, similar to Old Testament "Gentiles") who formed small states such as the Franks and Lombards.

Feudalism

The organization of Medieval life into a hierarchy of land ownership where kings awarded land to lords, lords hired knights for protection, and serfs worked the fields for safety.

Serfs

Laborers in the feudal system who worked the fields in exchange for safety.