Test 4 Western Civilization

1. Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) and Western Roman Empire

Key Terms:

  • Eastern Orthodoxy: The Christian tradition of the Byzantine Empire, which split from Roman Catholicism in the Great Schism (1054).

  • Constantinople: Capital of the Byzantine Empire, strategically located on the Bosporus Strait.

  • Hagia Sophia: A grand cathedral built by Emperor Justinian, later converted into a mosque.

  • Justinian Code: A comprehensive legal system that preserved Roman law and influenced European legal traditions.

  • Patriarchs: High-ranking bishops in Eastern Orthodoxy, such as the Patriarch of Constantinople.

  • Sts. Cyril and Methodius: Missionaries who developed the Cyrillic alphabet to spread Christianity among Slavs.

  • Icons & Iconoclasm: Religious images venerated in Orthodoxy; iconoclasm was their destruction (8th-9th centuries), later resolved by the Triumph of Orthodoxy (843).

Key Concepts:

  • Compare Eastern and Western Roman Empires:

    • East (Byzantine): Greek-speaking, centralized government, preserved Roman law (Justinian Code), Orthodox Christianity.

    • West (Latin Europe): Fragmented into feudal kingdoms, Roman Catholic Church as unifying force, Latin language.

  • Iconoclasm Controversy: Some emperors banned icons fearing idolatry; the Church eventually restored their use.

2. Rise of Islam

Key Terms:

  • Mecca: Birthplace of Muhammad and the holiest city in Islam.

  • Qur'an: Islam’s holy book; Hadith records Muhammad’s sayings.

  • Hijrah (Hejira): Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina (622 CE), marking Year 1 in the Islamic calendar.

  • Umma: The global Muslim community.

  • Allah: Arabic word for God.

  • Five Pillars of Islam: Faith, Prayer, Alms, Fasting (Ramadan), Pilgrimage (Hajj).

  • Caliph: Successor to Muhammad; led the Islamic empire.

  • Sunni vs. Shi’ite: Split over succession—Sunni (elected caliphs) vs. Shi’ite (descendants of Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law).

  • Jihad: Struggle (spiritual or military); Shari’a: Islamic law.

  • Peoples of the Book: Jews and Christians, given protected status under Islamic rule.

  • Umayyads: First major Islamic dynasty (661–750), expanded into Spain.

Key Concepts:

  • Origins of Islam: Muhammad (570–632 CE) received revelations from Allah; Islam spread rapidly through trade and conquest.

  • Impact on Europe: Muslim conquests (e.g., Spain, Sicily) introduced advances in science, math, and philosophy to Europe.

  • Sunni-Shi’ite Split: Began after Muhammad’s death over leadership disputes.

3. Early Medieval Europe (Middle Ages)

Key Terms:

  • Middle Ages: Period (~500–1500 CE) between Rome’s fall and the Renaissance.

  • The Franks: Germanic tribe that founded a kingdom in Gaul (France).

  • Merovingians: Early Frankish dynasty; Carolingians replaced them.

  • Charles Martel: Defeated Muslims at the Battle of Tours (732), halting Islamic expansion into Europe.

  • Charlemagne: Crowned "Emperor of the Romans" (800 CE), promoted education (Carolingian Renaissance).

  • Alcuin: Scholar who reformed education under Charlemagne.

  • Feudalism: Decentralized system of land (fiefs) exchanged for military service (lords & vassals).

  • Manorialism: Economic system where serfs worked land for protection.

  • Vikings: Scandinavian raiders; Leif Erikson reached North America (~1000 CE).

  • Alfred the Great: Unified Anglo-Saxon England against Vikings.

  • Christendom: Idea of a unified Christian Europe under the Church.

Key Concepts:

  • Charlemagne’s Empire: Modeled after Rome; revived learning (Carolingian Renaissance).

  • Feudalism’s Function: Provided stability in a decentralized post-Roman Europe.

  • Role of the Church: Dominated religion, politics, and education; Pope Gregory I strengthened papal authority.

4. Medieval Society and the Church

Key Terms:

  • Cathedrals: Grand churches, often Gothic style.

  • Abbot/Abbess: Leaders of monasteries/convents.

  • Catechesis: Religious instruction.

  • Sacraments: Sacred rites (e.g., baptism, Eucharist).

  • Transubstantiation: Doctrine that bread/wine become Christ’s body/blood.

  • Excommunication: Banishment from the Church.

  • Three Orders (Estates):

    1. Those Who Pray (Clergy)

    2. Those Who Fight (Nobility)

    3. Those Who Work (Peasants)

  • Primogeniture: Inheritance by the eldest son.

  • Guilds: Trade associations with apprentices, journeymen, masters.

Key Concepts:

  • Three Orders: Medieval social hierarchy reinforcing Church authority.

  • Rise of Towns: Growth of trade led to urban centers, weakening feudalism.

  • Church’s Power: Controlled education, sacraments, and politics; excommunication was a major tool.

Study Tips:

  • Compare and contrast Byzantine vs. Western Europe, Sunni vs. Shi’ite Islam.

  • Trace developments: How feudalism replaced Roman centralization.

  • Memorize key figures: Charlemagne, Muhammad, Justinian.

  • Understand cause/effect: How Islam’s rise affected Europe.