Rome and Middle Ages

Barbarians/ Huns

Race and savage barbarians. Very harsh and rough but dedicated to their tribe. Marked with iron on the chin as a child and short legged from ridding on horses all the time. Lived beyond the sea of azof (modern russia)

Barbarians significance

played a role in the empire’s collapse by displacing Germanic tribes, leading to a mass migration into Roman territory.

Diocletian’s Edict of Maximum Prices

a decree that set price and wage limits for over 1,000 goods and services to combat quick inflation

economic significance

attempt to impose strong central control over the economy, protect consumers and restore order during the crises happening in the fall of the roman empire. 

Extravagance

exessive government and political spending, bread and circuses, lavish lifesytles of the higher class

Loss of gravitas

a gradual erosion of seriousness, dignity and moral uprightness creating the abstance of leadership and civic virtue

Extravegance Significance

undermined Rome’s social cohesion, economic stability, and political effectiveness

Politics

corruption, power struggles, political violence, the Senate’s loss of power, and the rise of autocratic rule. 

These created an erosion of public trust, an inability to respond to threats, and internal divisions. 

Politics Significance

driven by internal stability, corruption and failure to manage the size of the empire, were huge problem affecting Rome. 

What caused the fall of the Roman Empire

caused by Barbarians, economics, extravagance and politics.

The Hebrews

ancient semitics from the middle east who created the foundation of Judaism 

Hebrew Significance

founded Judaism by forming the basis of other religions and the development of the Hebrew language

The Covenant

promise or agreement between god and and a jew providing loyalty and mutual responsibility

Covenant Significance

establishes a binding relationship shaping an identity and a purpose

The Chosen People

Jews who entered a special covenant with god to carryout a specific mission

Chosen People Significance

brings unique responsibilities between god, not a claim of superiority

Abraham

a common patriarch to the monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Abraham Significance

revered his faith and obedience to god. Plays a key role in all 3 religions. 

Moses

a Hebrew prophet and leader who freed the Israelites from slavery and delivered the 10 commandments

10 commandments

The Ten Commandments are the foundational core of Jewish law, connecting and supporting all other commandments and guiding Jewish ritual and ethics.

Moses and 10 Commandments Significance

Led the Israelites out of slavery then received the 10 commandments from God at the top of mount Sinai

Montheism

a belief that their is only one God. The Jewish believed in yahwew

Monotheism Significance

shaped moral and ethical frameworks, influencing societal structures and cultural developments

Yahwew

god of the Israelites representing the biblical name YHWH revealed to Moses in the book of exodus

Yahweh Significance

exegesis of the tetragrammaton, which is the proper name of the worship of Elohim or the god in the Old Testament

Universality

some things are absolute and apply to people everywhere

Social Justice

fair and equitable society where all individuals have what they need to survive

Universality and Social Justice Significance

universality provides a foundation for social justice insuring that individuals have equal rights

Pentateuch and Torah

used interchangeably to refer to the first five books of the Hebrew bible

Pentateuch and Torah Significance

Foundational text for Judaism and Christianity containing creation stories, history of isreal and laws given to moses. 

Who were the Hebrews and what were their beliefs?

ancient Semites coming from the Middle East, known to be the ancestors of the modern Jewish people. Montheists believe in Yahweh and believe they had special covenants with him, creating a special bond

Jesus of Nazareth

1st Century jewish preacher and religious teacher. Shared his ideas becoming the main figure of Christianity.

Jesus of Nazareth Significance

identity of a Messiah whose humble origins in the town of Nazareth witth fulfilled prophecy, highlighting gods ability to work in all places.

Sermon on the Mount

a collection of jesus’ ethical and moral teachings found in the biblical gospel of Matthew

Sermon on the Mount Significance

Jesus’ longest recorded teaching, providing the core principles of a life of righteousness, love and compassion within God’s Kingdom.

New Covenant

a new spiritual agreement between god and humanity establish through his death and resurrection as prophesied in the old testamate. 

New Covenant Significance

Foundation of Jesus’ sacrifice, providing full forgiveness of sins and a new direct relationship with God and mediated by the Holy Spirit

Messiah

an appointed or chosen figure expected to save a people or group (a savior)

Messiah Significance

chosen specifically to save and restore people or humanity

Gospels

First 4 book of the New Testament by Matthew, Mark, John and Luke

Old Testament

Written by Moses, David and Solomon. Corresponds to the Hebrew Bible a sacred Text of Judaism.

New Testament

27 Christian texts forming the second part of the Christian Bible written by various authors

Bible Significance

the central text of Christianity, providing a foundation for faith and guidance for life

Who were Christians and what were their beliefs?

Followers the life and teaching Of Jesus of Nazareth. They believe in Trinity, death, and resurrection. Offering a salvation from sin. 

Apostles

the twelve original disciples chosen by Jesus to be his closest followers and to spread his teachings

Apostles Significance

established the early church, proclaimed the gospel and laid groundwork for christian doctrine and scripture.

Paul

“second founder of Christianity” who taught Jesus’ teaching should be spread to non-jews. A jewish Roman citizen

Paul Signifcance

pivotal role in spreading Christianity beyond judaism and shaping Christian theology through his journeys and letters

Peter

one of jesus’ twelve apostles and a central figure in creating the first Christian Church in Rome

Peter Significance

the foundation.of the church, spiritual authority and a testament to faith and redemption

Missionaries

a person sent on a religious mission to spread their faith mostly for christians

Missionaries Significance

spreading religious messages by fulfilling a spirtitaul mandate

Roads

made it easier for apostles to travel and preach across the vast empire

latin

languages allowed for easy communication of Christian teachings across diverse populations

Roman Infastructure Significance

enabled missionaries to travel quickly and safely across vast distances to share their beliefs effectively

Pagan/Greek Ideas

integrating greek philosophy like platonism and stoicism into theology, adopting the conecept of logos and other greek terms

Pagan/Greek ideas Significance

provided a framework for the religions development offering concepts and structures more appealing to a broader audience within the roman empire

Appeal to the poor

message of equality before god, hope for a better afterlife, and emphasis on compassion and social justice. 

Appeal to the Poor Significance

a message of equality before god, a focus on spiritual over material wealth, and the promise of hope and salvation in the afterlife

How did early Christianity Spread?

Christianity spread through a combination of individual missionaries work, the roman infrastructure, and its appealing message. Believers shared their faiths and people like paul traveled to new regions and peter opened the church to expand the religion

Byzantines

The eastern continuation of Rome. greek speaking, orthodox christians who preserved Greek and Roman knowledge. 

Byzantines Significance

preserving classical greek and roman knowledge, shaping eastern orthodox Christianity, major hub for trade and culture. 

Constantinople

historic city founded by Constantine. Capital of Rome and the byzantine Empire

Constantine and Christanity

ended persecution, legalized faith, became a patron of the Church, funded Church construction, commissioned bible copies and resolved disputes

Constantine Significance

pivotal role in the rise of Christianity, established new capitol, political and military accomplishments. First emperor to convert to christianity, gained religious freedom for Christians and helped standardize Christian Doctrine. 

Justinian’s Code

Compilation of Roman law by the Byzantinian emperor Justinian, organizing existing law. 

Hagia Sophia

originally a church commissioned by Justinian. Is now a mosque in Istanbul Turkey

Justinian Significance

created massive legal reforms, organizing Roman Law, becoming the foundation for many legal systems. Led ambitious but Costly military campaigns to reconquer the lost Western Roman Empire

Preservations of Rome

Combination of historical practices, modern conservation efforts and modern challenges

Buffer

separated two larger powers. the Byzantines separated western and eastern Europe

Byzantine Contributions

preservation of Greek and roman culture, codification of Roman laws, development of eastern orthodox christianity with advancements in art and architecture 

How did the Byzantine Empire preserve the Roman Empire?

Branched off creating the Byzantine people with important figures such as Constantine and Justinian who made many Contribution and leading on the Eastern half of Rome. 

Franks, Lombards, Vandals

germanic peoples who migrated and established kingdoms in the declining Roman Empire

Germanic Tribes Significance

key role in fall of Rome, Formation of modern European nations and the development of European languages and legal systems.

War

conflicts with various groups ultimately led to the fall of the empire

Vikings

raided, traded and colonized in the western Europe from the late 8th Century

Threats Significance

felt pressure which showed internal weaknesses leading to the collapse. Exposed the empires vulnerabilities 

Clovis and Christianity

conversation was a pivotal event strengthening clause's rule untied with his kingdom and accelerated the spread of Christianity in Europe

Charles Martel and the battle of Tours

 a famous Frankish leader who helped the Christian army win. With this victory they halted a northward, advance of another army

The Frank's Significance

 established a powerful kingdom in western Europe after the fall of the Roman empire, which became the foundation for modern France in German Germany

Carolingian Renaissance

 a period of intellectual and cultural revival in Europe under Charlemagne

Holy Roman empire

a complex of central European territories that exist existed in the middle ages to 1806

Pope Leo III

 crowned Charlemagne as first holy Roman Empire on Christmas Day

Treaty of Verdun

Ended a civil war among three surviving sons of holy Roman emperor Louis the pious and portioned his empire, Carolingian.

Charlemagne significance

 united the majority of Western and central Europe established the holy Roman empire and initiating the Charlemagne Renaissance. His reign strengthens relationship between church and state. Often called the father of Europe.

How was Western Europe impacted by the fall of the Roman Empire?

Lead to the political fragmentation of western Europe, replacing centralized rule with a smaller competing kingdoms under local lords, which ushered in the feudal system

Origins and purpose of the feudal system

 started in Europe to fix political instability and invasions. Purpose was to provide local protection and order.

Origins and purpose of the feudal system significance

 to provide a decentralized structure for military defense and governance

Lord and vassals

Noble/landowner who granted land

Receiver of land, promised loyalty, and service to the Lord

Lords and vassals significance

 foundational structure of feudal society, creating political and military system based on military obligations

Fiefs

 Parcel of land granted by a lord, to a vassal in exchange for loyalty and service

Fiefs Significance

foundation of the feudal system creating hierarchy based on land ownership

Kings and Knights

highest rulers

Elite heavily arm soldier, serving a king or Lord in exchange for lander service

Kings and Knights significance

form the hierarchical structure of medieval Europe

Benefits of feudal system

provided essential security and social stability. Clear, social order and mutual obligations benefiting multiple classes.  credited a functional structure, filling the power vacuum left by the collapse

Drawbacks of the feudal system

a week central government lead leading to absence of power, instability and frequent wars.  limited social mobility, trapping peasants in a life of service and weak authority and frequent conflict between Lords

What was the feudal system?

 a political military and social structure in Europe, structured around land ownership, and obligations of Lords, vassals and serfs

lords

 powerful nobles, who granted fiefs in exchange for protection. A vassal to a king had authority over the manor.

lord significance

provided essential framework of governance, protection and economical structure for their estates

Peasants

agricultural laborers in manners in exchange for small plots of land