Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

Roman Empire Decline and Fall

• Alaric's sack of Rome (410 AD): Visigothic king Alaric captured Rome, a crucial moment during the Western Roman Empire's decline.
• Edict of Milan (313 AD): Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity, ending persecution.
• Battle of Milvian Bridge (312 AD): Constantine's victory after a vision of the Christian cross led to his conversion.
• Battle of Adrianople (378 AD): The Goths defeated the Roman army, killing Emperor Valens, weakening the West.
• Romulus Augustulus (476 AD): The last Western Roman emperor, deposed, marking the empire's fall.
• Mercenaries in Roman army: The use of foreign soldiers weakened loyalty and discipline.
• Tetrarchy (Diocletian): Divided empire into four parts for improved governance.
• Latin language: Shaped modern Romance languages (Spanish, French, Italian).
• Jewish Diaspora (70 A.D. +): Forced scattering of Jews following revolts against Roman rule.
• Council of Nicaea (325 AD): Constantine convened a council to establish Christian doctrines.
• Christianity becomes state religion (380 AD): Theodosian I declared Christianity the Roman Empire's official religion.
• St. Jerome: Translated the Bible into Latin (Vulgate).
• Attila the Hun: Invaded the empire, contributing to its collapse.
• Despotism: Absolute rule common among later Roman emperors.
• St. Paul: Apostle who spread Christianity through epistles and missions.

Early Islamic History

• Muhammad: Prophet and founder of Islam.
• Islam: Monotheistic religion, meaning "submission to God."
• Qur'an: Holy book of Islam containing Muhammad's revelations.
• Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca, required of Muslims.
• Ka'ba: Sacred shrine in Mecca, central to the Hajj.
• Caliph: Successor to Muhammad, both political and religious leader.
• Sunna: Traditions and practices of Muhammad, guiding Muslim behavior.
• Shari'a: Islamic law based on the Qur'an and Hadiths.
• Rise of Sunni-Shi'a split: Ali's assassination and debate over leadership.
• Abu Bakr: First caliph after Muhammad.
• Ali: Fourth caliph and cousin of Muhammad.
• House of Wisdom: Early Baghdad intellectual center.
• Baghdad: Abbasid Caliphate's capital, a center of advancement.
• Mongols sacked Baghdad (1258 A.D.): Led to the Abbasid Caliphate's demise.
• Umayyads and Abbasids: Major Islamic dynasties.
• Battle of Tours (732 A.D.): Frankish victory halting Islamic expansion.
• Siege of Constantinople (717-718 A.D.): Emperor Leo III successfully defended the city from the Arab siege.
• Byzantine-Sassanid Wars: Weakened both empires.
• Rights of People of the Book: Religious freedom for Jews and Christians but tax obligation.
• Kharijites: Early Islamic sect emphasizing piety in leadership.
• Muslim: One who follows Islam.
• Calligraphy: Decorative handwriting in Islamic art.
• Al-Andalus: Islamic Spain known for learning and exchange.

Byzantine Empire and Slavic History

• Justinian's reign: (Good) expansion and law codes. (Bad) costly wars and plagues.
• Theodora: Justinian's wife, influential in policies.
• Nika Revolt: Massive uprising in Constantinople.
• Heraclius: Byzantine emperor who reorganized the empire.
• Greek Fire: Byzantine weapon, crucial for defending Constantinople.
• Constantinople's fall (1453): Ottomans captured Constantinople, ending the Byzantine Empire.
• Prince Vladimir of Kiev: Converted Kievan Rus' to Christianity; alignment with Byzantium.
• Battle of Manzikert (1071): Seljuk Turks defeated the Byzantines.
• Fourth Crusade (1204): Crusaders sacked Constantinople.
• St. John Chrysostom: Important early Church Father.
• Sts. Cyril and Methodius: Missionaries who spread Christianity to Slavs.
• St. Basil: Established monastic rules for Eastern Christianity.
• Ivan III: Freed Russia from Mongol rule, centralizing power.
• Constantinople: Capital of the Byzantine Empire and a key city in history.
• Kievan Rus': Early Slavic state influenced by Vikings and Byzantium.
• Cyrillic alphabet: Created by Cyril and Methodius, for Slavs.
• Moscow: Became a center of Russian Orthodoxy after Constantinople's fall, "Third Rome."
• East-West Schism (1054): Division between Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox.
• Iconoclast Controversy: Dispute over religious icons in the Byzantine Empire.
• Alexander Nevsky: Defended Novgorod, cooperated with the Mongols.

Early Medieval and Carolingian Europe

• Charlemagne: King of Franks, crowned Holy Roman Emperor.
• Carolingian Renaissance: Revival of learning.
• Alcuin: Scholar and advisor to Charlemagne.
• Clovis and the Franks: Clovis's conversion to Christianity united the Franks.
• Pepin III: First Carolingian king.
• Charles Martel: Defeated the Moors at Tours.
• Carolingian Mayors of the Palace: Powerful officials before the Carolingian dynasty.
• Feudalism: Medieval political system.
• Vassals: Nobles loyal to lords.
• Serfs: Peasants bound to the land.
• Lords' Duties: Provided protection, justice, and land.
• Fiefs: Land granted for loyalty.
• Anglo-Saxons & Vikings & Magyars: Germanic peoples impacting Europe.
• Manors: Large estates in the feudal system.
• Barbarian invasions: Weakened the Western Roman Empire.
• Treaty of Verdun (843 AD): Divided the Carolingian Empire.
• Louis the Pious and Judith of Bavaria: Influenced power struggles within the dynasty.

Medieval Church

• Pope Gelasius I and Two Swords: Separation of spiritual & political authority (Church & state).
• Clergy: Church officials.
• Sacrament: Sacred Church rituals.
• Otto I: Unified German states, strengthened ties with the Church.
• Lay Investiture: Conflict over bishop appointments.
• Pope Gregory VII vs. Emperor Henry IV: Conflict over lay investiture.
• Concordat of Worms (1122): Compromise over bishop appointments.
• Holy Roman Empire: Political entity in Central Europe, decentralized.
• Frederick Barbarossa: Holy Roman Emperor, struggled for control over Italian cities.
• St. Benedict: Founded the Benedictine monastic order.
• St. Bede: English monk and historian.
• Excommunication: Banishment from the Church.
• Interdict: Suspension of Church services.
• Simony: Selling of Church offices.
• St. Francis: Founder of the Franciscan order.
• Gothic Cathedrals: Medieval churches, prominent architectural style.
• Urban II: Pope who called for the First Crusade (1095).
• First Crusade: Successful capture of Jerusalem.
• Third Crusade: Led by Richard the Lionheart, ended with a truce.
• Saladin and Richard the Lionheart: Leaders during the Third Crusade.
• Crusades: Increased trade, weakened feudalism, and deepened religious tensions.