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disce aut discede
Latin term that means 'learn or leave'.
pogrom
Term for periodic violent attacks on the Jewish population, especially prominent in Eastern Europe.
Black Death
A bacterial disease that devastated many areas of the world, leading to the death of millions and profound societal change in Europe.
Bubonic Plague
A synonym for the Black Death.
Constantinople
A city established by Roman Emperor Constantine; became the capital of the Byzantine and later Ottoman Empire.
urban
Of or pertaining to cities.
rural
Of or pertaining to the countryside.
flagellants
An extremist Catholic religious movement that believed that physical punishment could atone for sins; viewed the plague as a punishment from God.
ghetto
Originally referred to a section of a European city where Jews were allowed to live, often walled off from Christian areas.
anti-semitism
The hatred of the Jewish population.
first-hand
Something directly witnessed or experienced by the person relating it.
second-hand
Something explained by someone who did not directly witness or experience it.
Florentine
Of or pertaining to the city of Florence.
Vernacular
Any language spoken by the general population of a region, as opposed to Latin, the language of the Church.
Siege
A military tactic where an enemy is surrounded and starved into submission.
Balkan Peninsula
Region in southeastern Europe including Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, and Serbia.
antiquity
Of, or pertaining to anything ancient, or to a period of ancient history.
Middle Ages
The European historical era following the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 CE and the beginning of the Renaissance.
Medieval
A synonym for the Middle Ages.
Transcribe
The action of copying by hand something written.
Literate
The ability to read.
Illiterate
Lacking the ability to read.
Secular
Anything that is not religious in its character or purpose.
Classical
Of, or pertaining to ancient Greece and/or ancient Rome.
Italian Renaissance
A period in the 1400's and 1500's characterized by a renewed interest in culture, art, and learning.
papal/papacy
Of, or pertaining to the office of the Pope.
lion's share
An expression meaning the biggest and best portion of something.
Doge
The title held by the elected ruling prince of Venice.
textile
Of, or pertaining to cloth or its production.
Medici
A powerful family that dominated the politics of Florence during the Renaissance.
humanism
A Renaissance movement that emphasized potential and goodness of man, looking to classical values for inspiration.
oligarchy
Any government dominated by a few wealthy individuals.
S'forza
A powerful family that dominated the politics of Milan.
mercenary
A soldier who fights for anyone who pays for their services.
patron
Someone who supports the arts or a specific artist.
liberal arts
Courses of study focusing on human accomplishments.
skepticism
The philosophical belief that certain knowledge is impossible; to doubt.
theology
The study of religion.
ethics
The study of moral principles and behavior.
Dark Ages
A synonym for the Middle Ages.
philology
The study of historical development and origin of language.
Vatican
An independent state in Rome ruled by the Pope, center of the Catholic Church's authority.
Donation of Constantine
A false medieval document claimed to give the Catholic Church control over much of Western Europe.
universal truths
Values that are common to all humanity, such as honesty and kindness.
Renaissance Man
Term to describe an ideal man who excels in various fields.
Civic Humanism
Renaissance intellectual movement aiming to design an ideal government inspired by classical models.
political science
The study of different forms of government.
Christian Humanism
Renaissance movement focused on returning the Church to earlier practices.
Flanders
An ancient name for a major region of modern Belgium.
Vulgate Bible
The ancient Latin translation of the Bible used by the medieval Catholic Church.
Northern Renaissance
Term for the Renaissance's spread in Northern and Western Europe, focused on religious issues.
Low Countries
Collective term for Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
hierarchical
A societal structure dividing people into ranks from highest to lowest.
clergy
Formal leaders in a religion, such as priests and bishops.
peasants
Rural, agricultural free laborers.
serfs
Rural, agricultural laborers bound to the land.
artisans
Skilled workers who produce items by hand.
guild
A trade organization controlling the quality and pricing of goods.
rationalize
To justify an action or belief that others might find offensive.
primogeniture
The law stating that the firstborn male inherits all property.
feminist
Movement seeking to elevate the status of women.
querelles de femmes
Debate about the role of women in society.
perspective
An artistic technique for creating depth on a flat surface.
contrapposto
Artistic technique showing a human figure with weight on a single limb.
Gothic
Architectural style characterized by pointed arches and flying buttresses.
New Monarchs
Rulers in the 1500's establishing stronger national control.
War of Roses
Civil war in England from 1455 - 1485 over the throne.
Tudor
The family that controlled the English throne from 1485 - 1603.
regicide
The act of killing a ruling monarch.
usurper
Someone who seizes power not rightfully theirs.
dynasty
A succession of family members ruling a nation.
Moors
Muslim people from North Africa who conquered the Iberian Peninsula.
Iberian Peninsula
Region in southwestern Europe including Portugal and Spain.
Inquisition
Religious courts in Spain targeting suspected Jews or Muslims.
centralized
Concentration of authority in a single person or place.
Habsburg
Family ruling the Holy Roman Empire, Austria, and Spain.
Laymember
A non-clerical member of a religion.
evangelized
The act of preaching to convert others to a religious belief.
lucrative
Something that is profitable.
caravel
Inventive Portuguese sailing ship for ocean voyages.
backstaff / astrolabe / sextant
Tools used by navigators for tracking speed and location.
portolani
Inaccurate ancient maps used by early explorers.
Cape of Good Hope
Strategic water passage at the bottom of Africa.
Malacca
Islands in Indonesia known for valuable spices.
Treaty of Tordesillas
1494 agreement dividing the New World between Spain and Portugal.
circumnavigate
To sail around the world.
conquistadors
Spanish soldiers who conquered native populations in the New World.
Smallpox
A viral infection that resulted in high mortality rates.
encomienda
Large land grants allowing Spanish soldiers to demand labor from Native Americans.
Middle Passage
Journey of captive African slaves across the Atlantic to the New World.
Mestizos
People of mixed European and Native American descent.
Mulattos
People of mixed European and African descent.
relativism
Belief that knowledge and morality exist in relation to culture and society.
demographic
The study of human populations.
Columbian Exchange
The transatlantic exchange of goods, crops, and populations between Europe and the New World.
bullion
Precious metals valued by weight.
inflation
An overall increase in prices reducing purchasing power.
Price Revolution
Economic upheaval in 1500s and 1600s marked by inflation.
barter
System of trading goods without currency.
Global Economy
Interconnected worldwide economy for trade of goods.
