republic
a form of government in which power is in the hands of representatives and leaders are elected by citizens who have the right to vote
patricians
in ancient Rome, a member of the weathly, privileged upper class
plebeians
in ancient Rome, one of the common farmers, artisans, and merchants who made up most of the population
tribune
in ancient Rome, an official elected by the plebeians to protect their rights
consul
in the Roman republic, one of the two powerful officials elected each year to command the army and direct the government
senate
in ancient Rome, the supreme governing body, originally made only of aristocrats
dictator
in ancient Rome, a political leader given absolute power to make laws and command the army for a limited amount of time (6 months)
legion
a military unit of the ancient Roman army, made up of about 5,000 foot soldiers and a group of soldiers on horseback
Punic Wars
a series of three wars between Rome and Carthage
(264-146 B.C.); resulted in the destruction of Carthage and Rome's dominance over the Western Mediterranean
Hannibal
Carthigian general; brilliant military strategist; led 50,000troops, 60 elephants, and horses (cavalry) from Spain through France and over the alps to sneak attack Rome
civil war
a conflict between two political groups within the same country
Julius Caesar
a military leader who was apart of the triumvirate and was killed by the senate
triumvirate
in ancient Rome, a group of 3 leaders sharing control
Augustus (a.k.a. Octavian)
exalted one"; Caesar's heir (nephew/adopted son) most powerful ruler; first ever emperor!
Pax Romana
a period of peace and prosperity throughout the Roman Empire, lasting from 27 B.C. to A.D. 180
Jesus
A Jewish man from Nazareth who preached and was later crucified for his teachings
apostle
one of the followers of Jesus who preached and spread his teachings
Paul
An apostle who had influenced Christianity's developement
Diaspora
the dispersal of the Jews from their homeland in Palestine
Constantine
A Roman Emperor who moved the capital and renamed it Constantinople; openly accepted Christianity, but converted right before death
bishop
a high-ranking Christian official who supervises a number of local churches
Peter
An apostle; first Pope
Pope
head of the Christian church
Greco-Roman Culture
classical
Pompeii
Roman place, destroyed by a volcano
Virgil
poet; spent 10 years writing the most famous work of Latin literature, "The Aeneid
Tacitus
Roman historian who presented the facts accurately
aqueduct
a pipeline or channel built to carry water to populated areas
Allah
Islamic God
Muhammad
prophet; who was the messenger of Allah
Islam
Submission to the will of Allah
Muslim
someone who has submitted
Hijrah
migration from Mecca to Yathrib
mosque
An Islamic place of worship
hajj
a pilgrimage to Mecca, performed as a duty by Muslims
Qu'ran
the holy book of Islam
Sunna
an Islamic model for living, based on the life and teachings of Muhammad
shari'a
a body of law governing the lives of muslims
bedouins
Arab nomads who formed clans
House of Wisdom
a center of learning established in Baghdad in the 800s
caligraphy
the art of beautiful handwriting
Justinian
high ranking Byzantine nobleman; ruler of the Eastern Empire
1. The code contained nearly 5,000 Roman laws that were still considered useful for the Byzantium Empire
2. The Digest quoted and summarized the opinions of Rome's greated legal thinkers about the laws.
3. The Institute was a textbook that told law studen
Justinian Code
Hagia Sophia
the cathedral of Hold Wisdom in Constantinople, built by order of the Byzantine emperor Justinian
Patriarch
a principal bishops in the eastern branch of Christianity
icon
a religious image used by eastern Christians
excommunication
the taking away of a persons right of membership in a Christian church
Clovis
the leader of the Germanic people called the Franks
Franks
Germanic people who settled in the Roman province of Gaul and established a great empire during the Middle Ages
Charlemagne
- known as Charles the Great
-son of Pepin the Short
-extended Frankish rule
Charles Martel (a.k.a. Charles the Hammer)
major domo, most powerful person in the Frankish kingdom
Pope Gregory I
broadened the authority of the popes office beyond the spiritual role
Major domo
an official known as "mayor of the palace
Middle Ages
the era in European history that followed the fall of the Roman Empire, lasting from about 500 to 1500 - also called the Medieval period
vassal
in feudal Europe, a person who received a grant of land from a lord in exchange for a pledge of loyalty and services
fief
an estate granted to a vassal by a lord under the feudal system in medieval Europe
serf
A medieval peasant legally bound to live on a lords estate
lord
in feudal Europe, a person who controlled land and could therefore grant estates to vassals
knight
In medieval Europe, an armored warrior warrior who fought on horseback
chivalry
a code of behavior for knights in medieval Europe, stressing ideals such as courage, loyalty, and devotion
canon law
the body of laws governing the religious practices of a Christian church
lay investiture
a ceremony in which kings and nobles appointed church officials
Henry IV
Young German emperor, was excommunicated by Pope Gregory the VII, crossed the alps and waited outside the popes castle for 3 days for forgiveness