Byzantine and Islamic Empires Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the Byzantine and Islamic Empires.

Byzantine Empire

The Eastern Roman Empire established by Constantine, with Constantinople as its capital.

Justinian Code

A codification of Roman law developed during the reign of Emperor Justinian.

Hagia Sophia

A renowned example of Byzantine architecture, originally built as a church.

Christian city

Constantine aimed for Constantinople to be a central hub for Christianity.

Eastern Orthodox Church

A branch of Christianity that split from the Roman Catholic Church after mutual excommunication.

Greek Fire

A Byzantine military invention, an early form of napalm used to protect Constantinople.

Battle of Manzikert

A battle where the Byzantine army was defeated by the Seljuk Turks, leading to significant territory loss.

Crusades

Military expeditions by Western Christian powers to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim control.

Mosaics

Artistic works made from small pieces of glass or tile, prevalent in Byzantine art.

Cyrillic alphabet

An alphabet created by Saints Cyril and Methodius for the Slavic peoples.

Hegira

The migration of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622, marking the beginning of the Islamic calendar.

Caliphate

An Islamic state led by a caliph, a religious and political leader regarded as a successor to Muhammad.

Abbasid Caliphate

The dynasty that overthrew the Umayyads, known for its cultural and intellectual advancements.

One Thousand and One Nights

A famous collection of Middle Eastern folk tales compiled during the Islamic Golden Age.

Yaroslav the Wise

A prominent ruler of Kievan Rus' known for establishing international recognition and commerce.

Onion-shaped dome

A distinctive architectural feature associated with Eastern Orthodox churches.