Study Guide Exam 3

Jesus

Central figure of Christianity, believed to be the Son of God and the awaited Messiah.

Nicene Creed

Statement of Christian faith established in 325 AD, affirming the divinity of Jesus.

Pentarchy

The five major cities of the early Christian Church: Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem.

Medina Charter

Constitution drafted by the Prophet Muhammad outlining the relationships between Muslim and non-Muslim communities.

Sunni

Branch of Islam that accepts the first four caliphs as rightful successors to Muhammad.

Fatimid Caliphate

A major Islamic caliphate that spanned a large area of North Africa and the Middle East, known for its cultural achievements.

Charlemagne

King of the Franks who united much of Western Europe and was crowned Emperor of the Romans in 800 AD.

Great Schism of 1054

The split between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Council of Clermont

A council convened in 1095 where Pope Urban II called for the First Crusade.

The Alexiad

Historical work by Anna Komnene about her father, Emperor Alexios I, and events during his reign.

al-Athir’s History

A historical account by a Muslim historian, covering events of the Islamic world.

Song Dynasty

Chinese dynasty known for its cultural and technological advancements (960–1279 AD).

Chinggis Khan (Temujin)

Founder of the Mongol Empire, became the world’s largest contiguous empire after his death.

Secret History

An important historical record of the Mongol Empire, detailing the lives of its leaders.

Marco Polo’s Travels

A Venetian merchant's account of his travels in Asia and descriptions of the Mongol Empire.

Golden Horde

A Mongol khanate that ruled over parts of modern-day Russia and the surrounding regions.

de Carpine’s Journey

An account of the journey of William of Rubruck to the Mongol Empire for diplomacy.

Sultanate of Rum

A medieval Turkish state in Anatolia that was a part of the Seljuk Empire.

Mehmed II (the Conqueror)

Ottoman sultan known for conquering Constantinople in 1453.

Zheng He

Chinese mariner, explorer, diplomat, and fleet admiral during the early Ming Dynasty.

Sundiata Keita

Founding ruler of the Mali Empire, known for his epic story and military exploits.

Mansa Musa

Wealthy ruler of the Mali Empire, famed for his pilgrimage to Mecca and introduction of Islamic culture.

Great Zimbabwe

A medieval city in southern Africa known for its impressive stone structures.

Taj Mahal

An ivory-white marble mausoleum in India, built in memory of Mumtaz Mahal by Emperor Shah Jahan.

Almoravids

A Berber dynasty that founded an empire in North Africa and parts of Spain.

Janissaries

Elite infantry units that formed the Ottoman Sultan's household troops and bodyguards.

Alchemy of Happiness

A philosophical work by Al-Ghazali exploring the nature of happiness and fulfillment.

Famine of 1315

Severe food shortages throughout Europe leading to significant loss of life.

Black Death

A devastating global epidemic of bubonic plague that struck Europe in the mid-14th century.

The Decameron

A collection of novellas by Giovanni Boccaccio, reflecting life during the Black Death.

Constantinople

The capital city of the Byzantine Empire, known for its strategic location and cultural significance.

Mecca

Islam's holiest city, birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the site of the Kaaba.

Jerusalem

A city of great religious significance in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Aachen

Historical city in Germany that was the center of Charlemagne's empire.

Cordoba (Al-Andalus)

A major Islamic center of learning and culture in medieval Spain.