Fall of Rome/Byzantine Empire/Feudalism

Christianity

the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus

Feudalism

the economic and political system of medieval Europe in which people exchanged loyalty and labor for a lord's protection

serf

a peasant who could not leave the lords land on which he or she was born and worked

fief

land granted by a lord (or king) to a vassal in exchange for loyalty and service

Chivalry

the medieval knights code of ideal behavior, including bravery, loyalty, and respect for woman

Charlemagne

the leader of the Franks from 768 to 814 C.E., who unified most of the Christian lands of Europe into a single empire

Byzantine Empire

the name for the eastern Roman Empire, located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia; it lasted from about 500 to 1453 C.E.

Eastern Orthodox Church

a Christian religion that developed out of early Christianity in the Byzantine Empire

Patriarch

in the Eastern Orthodox Church, the bishop of an important city

Constantine

Roman emperor from about 280 to 337 C.E.; the first Roman emperor to become a Christian

Deline

a slow breakdown or failure

Corruption

a pattern of illegal or immoral activities by government officials

Empire

a large territory in which several groups of people are ruled by a single ruler or government

Constantinople

a large territory in which several groups of people are ruled by a single ruler or government

Hagia Sophia

An orthodox church that became an example model with a square base (representing the earthly world) and a high dome roof

Constantinople

Surrounded by water from three sides and was located between many crossroads of trade routes, connecting the east and west

Justinian's Code

served as the basis for many legal codes, expanded women's property rights, and had many new things and hospitals

Charlemagne

Ruling over 40 years, made education and scholarship is the center of culture and his court, while he also unified nearly all of Christian land in a single empire in Europe. He followed feudalism and crowned Holy Roman Empire

Pope Leo III

Crowned Charlemagne, strengthening both sides by uniting the church with the empire.

Social class

From top to bottom, the feudal hierarchy of medieval Europe was the Pope, the king, lords, lesser lords, knights, artisans/merchants, then peasant serfs. The religious pyramid from top to bottom was the Pope, carnivals, archbishops, bishops, and parish priests.

hierarchy

The feudal hierarchy is a pyramid of different roles and their statuses (including authority and importance) and the farther you go up in a pyramid, the more powerful the role is. Peasants had the biggest population, both farmers and laborers. Someone can move higher within the pyramid

Monarchs

At the top of the feudal society. Kept order and provided protection for their vassals. Worked hard to control their kingdom. William the Conqueror was a monarch that brought feudal institutions from France to England, he defeated his cousin in battle

Ladies/lords

Lords responsibility was to manage and defend his land and laborers. Acted as a judge in the manors court and held power to fine and punish those who broke the law. Supplied soldiers at war. Ladies were responsible for overseeing their household(s). Ladies raised their children and other children

Knights

Started as a page and helped the ladies in any way, then became a squire after 7 years (training to become a warrior), became a knight in their early 20's. Had to wear heavy armor (needed a lot of wealth too) Code of behavior = Chivalry, so they had to be loyal to churches and lords but they also did Jousts and tournaments, which were major parts of their lives

Serfs/peasants

Free peasants rented land to farm and owned only their rent to their lord while serfs could not leave the manor and had to work. Owed lord numerous of taxes and made up most of the population. They were skilled workers and tended to the livestock, while mostly eating vegetables, making them malnourished. Could have had specialized jobs (ex. Carpenters and shoemakers) and lived in small houses. Grinded grains at mill (they didn't like doing that)

Manors

Manors are large amounts of land given by the king to the lord (vassals). Manors contain farmlands, woods, a manor house, church, ponds, pastures, a village. Some other things they also contain mills, personal land, and a stone wall around the entire plot.

330

Constantine made the capital of the empire called Constantinople

410