Dark Ages Quiz

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Who was JUSTINIAN? (5)

Justinian was an ambitious leader of the Eastern Roman Empire with a mixed record of success. He fought several expensive wars against Arian Christians such as the Ostrogoths and Vandals, exhausting the treasury. Under his leadership during the Nika Revolt (see next slide), many important buildings in Constantinople were destroyed by rebels. Theodora was a former prostitute who became empress by marrying Justinian. He is also responsible for JUSTINIAN’S CODE, HAGIA SOPHIA, tried to recover Western Roman Empire land.

What is the NIKA REVOLT?

When fans of the chariot races at the Hippodrome (similar to the Circus Maximus in Rome) rioted, Justinian arrested the leaders. The people revolted against Justinian (the Nika revolt). When it looked as if Justinian would lose against the rebels, his wife Theodora shamed Justinian into action and inspired him and his generals to fight back. 35,000 people are killed in one day as Justinian punishes the revolt.

What is JUSTINIAN’S CODE?

On a more successful note, Justinian assembled Roman laws from his own and previous eras, creating a body of law that would be the basis for modern laws throughout Europe. Many of the laws were inspired by Orthodox Christian values.

What is the HAGIA SOPHIA?

The Hagia Sophia is an opulent temple built by Justinian in Constantinople (present day Istanbul, Turkey), known as the “temple of holy wisdom.”

What did JUSTINIAN do after the Nika Revolt?

To erase the memory of the Nika Revolt, Justinian tried to recover Western Roman Empire lands lost to the Arian Christian Ostrogoths and Vandals. He largely succeeded through 20 years of warfare, but could not maintain his victories. The wars were expensive, as were the terms of treaties that bought off some enemies. In addition, a plague spread throughout most of the Eastern Roman Empire territories in the west. As a result of the wars and plagues, the Eastern Roman Empire was bankrupted and weakened.

Who was Herakleios?

Most notably known for Theme System and Exarchates. He fought several wars, notably against the Persians. His accomplishments included returning from these wars with the True Cross, reputed to be the remnants of the cross on which Jesus was crucified.

What is the Theme System?

The theme system is an early warning system. The system where your local farmers would defend so they had a personal vendetta. The people were trying to protect their own homes and possessions. It kept people involved.

What were Exarchates?

Military headquarters outside of the heart of the Eastern Roman Empire, such as those in Ravenna and Carthage.

What was the result of the Battke of Yarmouk?

The Byzantines lost to the Muslims which basically solidified Islam in the region.

What is CAESAROPAPISM?

The state defining church policy; the emperor acting as the church/Pope.

What was happening before ICONOCLASM?

Many Christians develop faith in icons, such as worshipping religious symbols (a statue of Jesus for example) or believing these icons can cure ailments. Religious leaders in the Eastern Roman Empire view the worshipping of images/icons/symbols as heretical.

What is Iconoclasm?

“the breaking of images.” Instituted by Eastern Roman Emperors Leo III and his son, Constantine V, the church and the state outlaw the respect of symbols (icons). Disagreements over the role of symbols and images are a factor in divisions between the Eastern and Western Church. Many icons were reminders of the sanctity of saints, reminders of examples Christians should follow. In some cases, the images are as venerated as the saints themselves, leading to accusations that the images serve as false idols. The Pope condemns iconoclast policies of the Emperor, so the Emperor removes control of Papal state lands from the Pope. This split deepens the divide between the Western and Eastern Roman Empires, and the Western and Eastern Church.

Who was EMPRESS IRENE?

She wants power and will even kill her own son to stay in power. She says that iconoclasm is heresy. She then tries to get control by sending to Charlemagne (he is the most powerful king at the time since the roman empire) and wants to gain his approval/ally with him. Charlemagne rejects her. She basically wanted him to defeat her enemies and keep her in power. Irene is eventually invited to leave, saying she can leave or she will be killed. She eventually resigns. The catholic church still considers her a saint and recognizes the things she did against iconoclasm.

Who is BASIL II?

Basil is the last strong emperor to have complete and total control over Byzantium. He is called the Bulgar slayer. His conquest of modern day Bulgaria extended the Byzantine empire. He moved into Asia Minor, Syria, and retakes land that was previously lost. He hires vikings.

1. Spends way too much money during war.

2. By the expansion of the kingdom he is putting the people in harm's way. It is harder to protect now and he has to deal with Muslims and other enemies.

What happens during the Battle of Manzikert?

It is the Adrianople for the Byzantines. The Muslims under Alp Arslan defeated and captured the Byzantine king. It wasn't a terrible defeat, but a psychological impact to the Byzantines. Once Manzikert falls to the Muslims, they now have an entry into Asia Minor and it is easy for them to keep taking more land from them.

Who is Constantine 11th?

Was the last emperor of the Byzantines. Nobody knows what happened to him and how he died.

What happened with the FALL OF THE BYZANTINES?

Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks led by Sultan Mehmed. They lay sieged to them for three months until they fell. The Byzantines did not have their greek fire and were useless against the guns that the Ottoman Turks had.

Who were the Franks?

Roman federates, autonomous group under Roman government rule. When Roman authority collapses in Gaul, the Franks take control of the territory. Early converts to Orthodox Christianity, the Franks are able to overcome the distinction as “Barbarians.” The “Franks” eventually became known as the “French”.

Who is Merovich?

Clovis’s grandfather. Their descendants were considered the Merovingians. They are identified by long dark curly hair.

Who is Clovis I and what did he do?

In 481 CE, Clovis, the founding father of the Merovingian Dynasty, assumed the throne at the tender age of 15 when his father Childeric, king of a Germanic tribe known as the Salian Franks, died. The pagan king Childeric had fought alongside the Romans against the Huns. The family name "Merovingian" comes from Clovis' grandfather Merovech, who had also fought alongside the Romans, dying in 456 CE. Although raised a pagan (according to some historians, he would be the last of the pagan kings), Clovis realized that conversion to Christianity would be extremely beneficial to him if he ever hoped to secure the loyalty of all of the Frankish people. His conversion to Orthodox Christianity makes the Franks Christians. Under his rule, the Franks expand their power quickly.

What did Clovis I do to help rule his kingdom?

Clovis needs help to rule his kingdom. He needs the church because they are the only people who know how to read, write, and have an education (priest and monks). He wants to pass laws and administrate his kingdom and give out taxes so he needs the help of people with education. His conversion is less religious activity but more bureaucratic.

How does succession work in the Frankish kingdom?

The Franks' system of succession allowed all sons to inherit their father’s land, thus when a king died, sons frequently fought each other for control of greater territories.

What does Gavelkind mean?

It is Frankish succession. The division of property equally among the children of the deceased property owner, was the traditional principle of inheritance among the Franks, and so the royal lands, as well as the royal title.

What is the Salac Law of Succession?

The rule by which, in certain sovereign dynasties, persons descended from a previous sovereign only through a woman was excluded from succession to the throne. Gradually formulated in France, the rule takes its name from the code of the Salian Franks, the Lex Salica (Salic Law).

What is the MAYOR OF THE PALACE?

An assistant to the king. They did all the day to day workings and administered the kingdom for the king. Similar to the vizier. Also similar as a Vice President with actual duties. Look over the kings house and took care of it.

What happens with the MAYOR OF THE PALACE’S power?

Will increase power over time. The mayor of the palace will become a hereditary position over time. Each new king used to be able to choose the mayor of the palace. Later, their power becomes equal to the king.

Who is Dagobert I?

The peak of the Merovingian power was during the rule of Dagobert. He is the last powerful king of the Merovingian line. After, the Mayor of the Palace usurps the king and they replace in power. After his rule the Mayor of the Palace usurped their way in.

Who was CHARLES MARTEL?

A Frankish leader who served as Mayor of the Palace after defeating other half-sons. Makes the Mayor of the Palace hereditary. Charles led the Franks to a victory over Muslim invasions from Spain, at the Battle of Tours in 732. Before the Battle of Tours he promised his soldiers land if they won the battle, land is from the church.

Why did the Muslims invaded Europe?

1. Saw Christians as religious rivals

2. For slaves

What is the significance of Battle of Tours?

It stops the Muslim expansion into Europe. Charles Martel used this to victory to become more powerful than the actual Merovingian king. Martel was a Carolingian, and the victory at Tours gave the Carolingians great prestige.

Who was Pepin the Short and what did he do?

He is the person who was made first king of the Franks after the Merovingian line. For putting him on the throne he gave the pope the donation of pepin. He created the Papal states. Papal States were land territories under the direct administrative control of the Orthodox Christian Church and the Pope.

1. Becomes kings of the Franks and creates the new dynasty called Carolingians.

2. Makes the donation of Pepin tying the franks with the church.

Who was the wealthiest entity in all of Europe during the Dark Ages?

The Pope or Catholic Church.

What were Papal States?

land territories under the direct administrative control of the Orthodox Christian Church and the Pope.

Who is CHARLEMAGNE and what did he do?

He created the model of kingship in this era. He is the biggest of everyone. He is able to create the biggest kingdom since the roman empire.

1. He is the protector of the Church and expands the faith. He wants to spread Christianity.

2. He is big on education and bringing it back.

3. Expansion of the Frankish kingdom.

Who was Rolland?

There was a song about him where he asked for 300 soldiers to hold off Muslims so Charlemagne could escape.

What were the “missi dominici”?

"lord’s emissaries,” lord meaning king. The missi dominici were two officials working together, one secular member and one member of the clergy (a layman and a bishop), who inspected the work of dukes and counts.

What were Counts?

administrative officials in charge of cities, with limited control of municipal territories, and administer royal justice.

What were Dukes?

administrative officials similar to counts, but in charge of larger geographic areas (more authority than the counts).

What was the Palace Chapel at Aachen?

Charlemagne’s favorite palace (in present day Germany); also symbol of how Franks were influenced by Muslim architecture (from Umayyads in Spain) and the Christian East.

How did Charlemagne and the Franks feel about education?

The Franks push for greater literacy resulting in the standardization of writing (before the printing press, legible and standardized writing is an important development). The push for literacy results in the standardization of uncial (upper-case) and miniscule (lower-case) letters.

Why did Charlemagne not want to be the Emperor?

1. Does not want to be tied with the church. He wants to have control. The church is powerful and wealthy. He needed to keep them in check.

2. He does not want to get involved with the eastern Roman emperor's foolishness.

What is Monasticism?

The idea of monks (holy men) living in monasteries. Monasteries are generally in isolated places where monks can focus on things like fasting and prayer without distractions. Monks produce many religious written works during this period (literacy is uncommon, but monasteries provide monks with access to education). The monasteries were self-sufficient.

Who was Saint Benedict?

Founded many monasteries based on the idea of ora et labora (“work & pray”). The idea was for monks to concentrate on becoming self-sufficient through their labor in addition to their spiritual work. The Benedictine Rules for daily life of monks were created to guide them in their journey to be self-sufficient. These rules dictated the daily activities of the monks down to the hour

Who was Pope Gregory I and what did he do?

A major supporter of Christian monasteries which Gregory sees as useful for providing education and training future church officials. Pope Gregory was also a supporter of missionaries; one example is ordering monks to convert Germanic tribal groups such as the Angles and the Saxons. This was done by absorbing pagan customs into the Christian faith. EX: Christmas as the birth of Christ. As missionaries convert more people to Christianity, the authority and power of the position of Pope increases. Also is responsible for starting and creating the holiday of Christmas.

Who was Saint Patrick and what did he do?

St. Patrick lived as a slave in Ireland after his capture by pirates. He eventually escaped but returned to Ireland, in order to convert the inhabitants to Christianity. Ireland becomes a Christian stronghold, and Irish monks branch out to many other locations to spread the religion.

What was the Book of Kells?

An example of the religious texts produced in monasteries; the Book of Kells contains parts of the Christian Gospels with elaborately ornate illustrations.

Who were the Lombards?

Three years after the death of Justinian, the Lombards invade the weakened Western Roman Empire. Like the other “barbarian” groups, they are Arian Christians. Initially the Lombards conflict with bishops and popes of Orthodox Christianity (who by this time have acquired political power beyond their power in the church). In the early 600s, a Lombard queen, Theudelinda, convinces her second husband, Agilulf, to convert to Orthodox Christianity. From this point forward, the Lombards follow Orthodox Christianity.

Who were the VISIGOTHS?

The Visigoths were another Arian Christian “barbarian” group located in present day Spain. In 586, a Visigoth emperor, Reccared, converts to Orthodox Christianity.

What was the Councils of Toledo?

Powerful church councils from Toledo (capital of the Visigoths) with strong influence over the Visigoth government and society, including nominating Visigoth kings. The Councils of Toledo pass measures that oppress non-Christian communities.