Medival Society Test #1

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Questions and Answers

What symbol did Constantine receive in his vision before the battle?

The Cross

The Sword

The Fish

The Chi-Rho (correct)

What was the significance of the Edict of Milan issued in 313 CE?

It established Christianity as the state religion.

It legalized Christianity and allowed freedom of worship. (correct)

It mandated the payment of taxes to the church.

It introduced Sunday as a day of rest.

What was the role of the Comitatenses in Constantine's military reforms?

They were responsible for naval defense.

They managed supply lines for the frontier armies.

They served as the elite, mobile field armies for the emperor. (correct)

They were the less well-equipped garrison troops.

What was one of the outcomes of the Council of Nicaea called by Constantine in 325 CE?

The formulation of the Nicaean Creed. Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the less well-equipped frontier armies in Constantine's reforms?

Limitanei Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary basis of the concept of Feudalism?

A social structure of an agrarian society Signup and view all the answers

What obligation did the Noble Vassals have towards the King?

Provide loyalty and military support Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the responsibilities of Vassal Serfs?

They provided rent in labor and occasionally in produce or cash. Signup and view all the answers

How did the feudal system function effectively?

By everyone fulfilling their obligations to those above and below them Signup and view all the answers

What role did the Church play within the feudal system?

It functioned as a major landowner, raising armies of ministerial knights. Signup and view all the answers

Which best describes the term 'Vikingr'?

An ethnically neutral term for Norse explorers or raiders Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary role of Huscarls in Norse society?

Elite warriors serving as bodyguards Signup and view all the answers

What happens to warriors who die in battle according to Norse beliefs?

They are taken to Valhalla by Valkyries Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the great battle at the end of time in Norse mythology?

Ragnarök Signup and view all the answers

What type of vessel is a 'Snekkja'?

A military longship with a capacity for 41 crew members Signup and view all the answers

Where did the Norse raids primarily target for plunder?

Isolated monasteries that were rich yet poorly defended Signup and view all the answers

What significant event occurred in 1066 that marked the end of the Viking Era?

The conquest of England by Duke William of Normandy Signup and view all the answers

What was established in 911 CE that involved Vikings in the Byzantine Empire?

The Varangian Guard Signup and view all the answers

What led to the formation of Normandy in northern France?

Rollo's conquest and land grant by King Charles Signup and view all the answers

What was the Kensington Runestone?

A stone believed to be carved in Norse runes found in Minnesota Signup and view all the answers

What significant change did Constantine I make regarding the capital of the Roman Empire?

He relocated it to Byzantium and renamed it Constantinople. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the hereditary occupations during the reign of Constantine?

To ensure a stable and skilled workforce. Signup and view all the answers

What was the slogan associated with Theodosius I's reign that reflected his vision for the empire?

One ruler, one world, one creed. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following reforms are attributed to the reigns of Diocletian, Constantine, and Theodosius?

Establishment of Feudalism and the knightly class. Signup and view all the answers

What major action did Theodosius I take regarding paganism?

He banned all forms of paganism and closed their temples. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the Roman Empire during Theodosius I's reign?

It was permanently divided into Eastern and Western Empires. Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the withdrawal of Roman troops from Britain in 409 CE have?

It began the Arthurian legends. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributed to the Germanization of the Roman army during Theodosius I's rule?

Enlisting Gothic settlers to avoid conflict. Signup and view all the answers

What year did the Goths sack Rome, marking the first time in 800 years that the city was captured?

410 CE Signup and view all the answers

Which king declared himself King of Italy after replacing Romulus Augustulus in 476 CE?

Odoacer Signup and view all the answers

What term was derived from the Vandals' ferocious sack of Rome in 455 CE?

Vandalism Signup and view all the answers

Who became the first medieval king after murdering Odoacer in 493 CE?

Theodoric Signup and view all the answers

What type of law replaced Roman civil law under the Germanic kings?

Personal law Signup and view all the answers

Which document represents the last masterpiece from Antiquity?

Consolation of Philosophy Signup and view all the answers

What role did churchmen and monks play during the transition from Roman to Germanic culture?

They served as scribes for illiterate kings Signup and view all the answers

What was a key factor in the Germanic warlords’ desire to be seen as Roman kings?

To distance themselves from barbarism Signup and view all the answers

What major achievement is Justinian known for in relation to law?

Creating the Corpus Juris Civilis Signup and view all the answers

Which event marks the final conquest of the Eastern Roman Empire?

The fall of Constantinople Signup and view all the answers

Which group defeated the Muslim armies at Poitiers in 732 CE?

The Franks Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of Clovis I's marriage to Clotilda?

It facilitated the conversion of the Franks to Christianity. Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the first written Frankish law code established by Clovis?

Pactus Legis Salicae Signup and view all the answers

Which dynasty succeeded the Merovingians in Frankish history?

Carolingian Dynasty Signup and view all the answers

What cultural revival is associated with Charlemagne?

The Carolingian Renaissance Signup and view all the answers

How did the Salic Code influence local customs?

It served as a supplementary law to local customs. Signup and view all the answers

What did Charlemagne do to ensure the effectiveness of his administration?

He issued instructions known as capitularies. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributed to the decline of the Merovingian kings?

Excessive reliance on land grants for power Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary feature of the Merovingian kings that Clovis I rejected?

Their tradition of long hair as a symbol of royalty Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a consequence of Justinian's Gothic War?

Long-term military presence in Rome Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Muslims' mean in the context of Islam?

Those who submit to the Will of God Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of Charlemagne's educational reforms was notable?

Creation of the Carolingian Minuscule writing style Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Lecture #1

Folk Tales/Nursery Rhymes associated with historical events, like the Black Death, Richard III, and the Battle of Bosworth Field
Nursery rhymes referencing historical figures, like Henry III and Queen Eleanor
"Fairy tales" as a genre
Roman Empire at its peak (98-117 CE) encompassing approximately 30 modern nations in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
Population of 45-60 million, a superpower of its time
Appearances of strength and wealth masked internal problems
Short periods of peace punctuated by constant civil war or foreign invasions
Crisis of the 3rd Century (235-284 CE) marked by short-lived and violent emperors
"Enemy at the Gates" crisis, involving large-scale migrations by Germanic tribes
Economic collapse of the 3rd Century with high and unfair taxes and inflation
Collapse of cities and family obligations, leading to social dislocation
Population decline due to famine, war, and plague, with rise in robber bands
Diocletian's rule (284-305 CE)

Lecture #2

Tetrarchy (Rule of Four Men) established in 293 CE dividing the empire into East and West, assigning two Augusti (co-emperors) and two Caesars (2nd in command)
Roman provinces reorganized into roughly equal sizes, increasing from 50 to 100+
Rome no longer the primary capital, with the capital and mint moving with the emperor
Military reorganization focused on defenses and forts along frontiers with local commanders
Local forces and elite mobile forces (comitatenses) were created, consisting of cavalry, smaller legions, and missile-armed troops
Manpower problems, with key industries and offices becoming hereditary, leading to a census defining occupations and labor shortages
Diocletian's reign had significant repercussions on later medieval society

Lecture #3

Constantine I, the "Great," was the first Christian emperor, believed to have received a vision of the Chi-Rho (ΧΡ) symbol before the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 CE
Constantine legalized Christianity in 313 CE through the Edict of Milan
A holiday was declared for the Christian Sabbath, and made important decisions on Christian Doctrine and organization
Constantine called the Council of Nicaea (325 CE)
Military reforms involved creating the comitatenses, an elite mobile field army
Better training and equipment (for the comitatenses)

Lecture #4

Viking culture and Viking raids during this period
Vikings were individuals who went on journeys, often involving travel by sea, to trade, explore, and go on raids
Descriptions of Viking warriors and their weaponry
Norse religion focusing on warriors and the end of time
Norse invasions and periods of Norse expansion and conquest
Vikings raids through monasteries targeting rich and defenseless settlements

Lecture #5

European farming communities, an urban center such as a city, town or village developed, surrounded by farmland
Staple crops like spelt, wheat, barley, olives, and grapes for wine
Mild winters were ideal for growing olives, while grapes flourished in the Mediterranean due to moisture.
Development of farming techniques and the use of the heavy plow.
Population increase in 1200 related to agricultural productivity and increased agricultural resources.

Lecture #6

Feudal system terminology: Fealty (oath of loyalty), Fief (land or revenue), Homage (ceremony of swearing fealty), Lord (landowner), Vassal (tenant), and Feudalism (social and political structure)
Feudalism was based on the bestowing of land (fiefs) by a lord to a vassal in return for loyalty and service; and obligation between rulers and subjects, like a contract with reciprocity.
The concept of chivalry developed during feudal times and its importance in knightly culture

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Description

Explore the fascinating connections between nursery rhymes, historical events, and figures such as Richard III and Henry III. Delve into the era of the Roman Empire, examining its peak, crises, and the societal challenges that marked its history. This quiz will test your knowledge of how folklore intertwines with pivotal moments in history.