Byzantine Empire
a continuation of the Roman Empire in the Middle East after its division in 395
Constantinople
Previously known as Byzantium, Constantine changed the name of the city and moved the capitol of the Roman Empire here from Rome.
Justinian
Byzantine emperor in the 6th century A.D. who reconquered much of the territory previously ruler by Rome, initiated an ambitious building program , including Hagia Sofia, as well as a new legal code
caesaropapism
the doctrine that the state is supreme over the church in ecclesiastical matters
Eastern Orthodox Christianity
A branch of Christianity that developed in the Byzantine Empire and that did not recognize the Pope as its supreme leader
icons
religious images used by Eastern Christians to aid their devotions
Kievan Rus
A monarchy established in present day Russia in the 6th and 7th centuries. It was ruled through loosely organized alliances with regional aristocrats from. The Scandinavians coined the term "Russia". It was greatly influenced by Byzantine
Prince Vladimir of Kiev
He was the Russian prince who selected Greek Orthodoxy as the national religion. This added cultural bonds to the Byzantine Empire to the already existing commercial ties
Charlemagne
King of the Franks (France) who conquered much of Western Europe, great patron of literature and learning
Holy Roman Empire
Loose federation of mostly German states and principalities, headed by an emperor elected by the princes. It lasted from 962 to 1806.
Roman Catholic Church
the Christian Church based in the Vatican and presided over by a pope and an episcopal hierarchy
Western Christendom
Split in 1054 C.E. on account of differences in church leadership, languages, religious images and the filioque.
Crusades
a series of military expeditions in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries by Westrn European Christians to reclaim control of the Holy Lands from the Muslims
European Cities
Western Europe saw a major process of urbanization beginning in the eleventh century, with towns that created major trade networks and that were notable for the high degree of independence they often enjoyed
system of competing states
The distinctive organization of Western European political life that developed after the fall of Western Roman Empire, in which many small existing independent states encouraged military and economic competition
Aristotle and Classical Greek Learning
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher in 384-322 BC, his philosophy was famous in Western Europe, Greek rationalization helped shape the learning in many countries
