SOCS MX5 REVIEWER:

BYZANTINE EMPIRE:
-In 610AD, the Eastern Roman Empire officially became known as the Byzantine empire.
-The capital city was Constantinople (formerly Byzantium)
-Center of the empire
-Favorable location for trade
-Wealth and splendor
-The Byzantine Empire promoted the blending of Greek, Roman, Christian and Middle Eastern
cultures
-Over time, much of the art and architecture reflected styles of Middle East (Persia) while
retaining the basis of Rome.
-Most importantly though, the Byzantines preserved the learning and writing from Ancient
Greece and Rome.
-Much of it had been lost or destroyed in the West by the invasions of the Germanic tribes.
-The Byzantines; however, wanted to establish themselves separate from Rome.
Similarities and Differences Between Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic

Roman Catholic Eastern Orthodox

-Services conducted in Latin -Services conducted in Greek

-The Pope is buthority over all including kings -The emperor claims authority over the
and emperors Patriarch and other officials
- Priests are celibate (cannot marry or have - Priests can marry and have children
children) - Divorce permitted in certain cases
- Divorce is not permitted - Icons are forbidden (idols)
- Icons are allowed in worship

Similarities
-Both religions are based of the teachings of Jesus and the Bible
-Both have baptisms
-Both seek converts

Upheaval in the Church

-Since the split of the Western and Eastern Rome, the Church also experienced a schism (split).
-The split cannot be traced back to one single event, but many disagreements between Eastern
and Western viewpoints over cultural differences, politics, the Pope, Church celebrations
created a divide in the Church that could not be repaired.
-This was known as the "Great Schism" or "East- West Schism" made official in 1054 when the
Pope and Patriarch excommunicated each other.
The Age of Justinian
-Justinian was perhaps the greatest Byzantine emperor
-He hoped his empire would be as great as ancient Rome.
-Justinian wanted to recover the lands lost to the invaders and reconstitute the Roman Empire.
-Justinian was able to take back much, but not all, of the territory that had once belonged to
Rome.
Justinian's Code
-For his empire, Justinian organized laws - with over 4,000 written laws, they are better known
as Justinian's Code
-This code was based on old Roman law
- These laws defined issues such as citizenship, marriage, inheritance, slavery, property rights as
well as criminal acts and punishments.
- This code is significant because it laid out rules for a massive kingdom which helped him both
unify and control it.
-Many laws or legal systems today are based off of Justinian's Code.
-Justinian Code was written by going through all of the Roman Tables Laws
-Kept the laws that still were relevant
-Changed the laws to simplify them in the new code & make them more clear
Justinian the Builder
-Justinian also launched a massive building program in Constantinople.
-During his time, he built massive walls to protect the city.
-These walls helped protect the city from attack for over 1,000 years.
-He also had many bridges, aqueducts and churches built.
Theodora
-Justinian was married to a beautiful woman named Theodora.
-She was very intelligent, decisive and strong woman.
-From all accounts, Justinian treated her as an equal and frequently relied on her for advice.
The Hagia Sophia
-The greatest building achievement; however, was the church of the Hagia Sophia meaning
"Holy Wisdom" in Greek.
- The Hagia Sophia is important for both religious and architectural reasons.
-It is renown for is domes and was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly 1,000 years.
- The Hagia Sophia was the center of Eastern Orthodox Christianity and was known as the
"Vatican of the East."
-It was later converted to a Muslim mosque in 145 after the Ottoman Turks took control of
Constantinople.
-It remained a mosque until 1935 when the Turkish government made it into a museum.
The Fall of the Byzantines
-After hundreds of years of glory, fortunes changed in the Byzantine Empire
-The empire was almost continuously plagued by different groups along it's border seeking
more territory.
-Many attacks came from groups such as the Turks, Persians, Slavs, Vikings, and Mongols
- Muslim armies started to gain control of much of the Mediterranean.
Crisis and Collapse
Constantinople Falls:
- Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople in 1453 and renamed it Istanbul
-Muslim influences replace Christian ones.
-Hagia Sophia is converted from a church to mosque
Longevity: The empire lasted more than 1,000 years, a rare feat throughout history.
Cultural Diffusion: The Byzantines blended Roman culture, Greek learning with Christian beliefs
and Middle Eastern influences
Preservation: Classical learning of the Greeks and Romans which otherwise would have been
lost in the fall of Rome was continued in the Byzantine Empire.
Law: Justinian's Code preserved Roman law and became the basis of many laws today.
Spiritual: Eastern Orthodox Christianity still exists in areas such as Eastern Europe, Greece and
Russia.

Medieval Period
Middle Ages
(500 CE-1500 CE)
- The Medieval period of European between the fall of the Roman Empire and the beginning of
the Renaissance, referred to as the "Dark Ages.
Government
Monarchy:
System where in a community or society is headed by kings and queens.
The Pope had the power to choose the leader.
-Clovis
-Charles Martel (Charles the Hammer)
-Pepin the Short
-Charlemagne (Charles the Great)
Religion:
Christianity
-Bishops and archbishops came from the nobles.
-Parish priest were mostly commoners.
-The Pope ruled vast land in Italy known as the Papal Estate.
-They collected tax.
-The Church was the only school in middle ages.
-Pope Leo III hailed Charlemagne as the emperor after being saved from violent mob.
Economy
Feudalism: It is a Social class based on land ownership.
Feudal System:
King: Kings were the lords of the land. Highest position in the feudal system.
Noble: Nobles were the vassals of the kings, Also ruled over some lower ranking knights.
Knights: Knights served their lords in exchange for land.
Peasants: Lowest ranking in the feudal system. They owned no land Peasants are the lowest
rank in the and worked on land owned by nobles and knights.
Culture:
-Basically the culture during the medieval period was mostly based on Christianity. Like people
were dependent to Divine belief instead of having medical discoveries.
-Once regarded as a time of uninterrupted ignorance, superstition, and social oppression.
-Chivalry- It is a code of conduct that has Christian Virtues and Values.
Contributions of the Church
-They united the Kingdoms by having one religion.
-They provided food and shelter to poor people.
-They preserved learning and morality.
-They preserved classical culture.
-Medieval monks were expert in Agriculture.
-They emphasized justice, peace and brotherhood.
Important Events in this Era
Crusades (1096-1291):
-It is series of warfare between Christianity and Islam.
-Emperor Alexius I asked Pope Urban I to send troops to Byzantine against Seljuk Turks.
-In 1095 at Council of Clermont in S. France, the Pope convinced the nobles and peasants to join
the military expedition.
-4 Crusades and the Children’s Crusade.
-The 3rd Crusade(King Richard of England, Emperor Frederick Barbarossa of Germany, and
Augustus of France vs. Saladin)
-Saladin and Richard I had a truce that Jerusalem will still be under Muslim control but gave the
Christians the right to visit.
-Crusades failed.
Black Death
-The Black Death was a devastating global epidemic of bubonic plague that struck Europe and
Asia in the mid-1300s.
-The plague arrived in Europe in October 1347, when 12 ships from the Black Sea docked at the
Sicilian port of Messina.
-Over the next five years, the Black Death would kill more than 20 million people in Europe –
almost one-third of the continent’s population.

Medieval Period The Frankish Kingdom

The Franks:
-They were among the many Germanic tribes who settled into the West in what was then
called Gaul (France)
-Clovis was able to unify the Franks and conquer Gaul and established the Merovingian Dynasty.
-Clovis was converted to Christianity which made him gain the support of the pope.
-After his death, his successors were not able to maintain power and control over the kingdom.
Pepin II:
-He was able to reunite THE Frankish kingdom and territories.
-He was succeeded by his son Charles Martel.
-Charles Martel (Charles the Hammer) was well remembered for saving Western Europe from
the advancing forces of the Muslim armies.
Pepin the Short:
-Succeeded Charles Martel
-He was the first to be conferred as “King of the Franks” and was crowned by the Pope.
-His ascension to the throne ushered into power a new dynasty, THE CAROLINGiAN
DYNASTY”(the name Carolingian was derived from the latinized name of Charles Martel).
-He was able to strengthened the alliance of his dynasty with the church
Charlemagne (Charles the Great):
-He was the greatest among the Frankish kings.
-He ruled for 46 years and was able to expand the size of his kingdom.
-He has established the largest state in the West since the collapse of the Roman Empire.
-He was crowned “Emperor of the Romans by the Pope
The Holy Roman Empire & Charlemagne:
-Charlemagne (Charles the Great) who was a military general and restored Pope Leo III who had
been exiled
-In return, Leo placed a crown on Charlemagne and named him the “Emperor of the Romans”
which secured the relationship between Frankish kings and the papacy
-Charlemagne became the first ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, a dynasty that would last for
more than 700 years
-Charlemagne- imposed order on empire through the Church and state
-Ordered the standardization of Latin, textbooks, manuals for preaching, schools for clergy and
people, new form of handwriting
-All these promoted education and scholars and produced a precise written language (Latin)
Charlemagne:
-The best known Medieval King was Charlemagne, who ruled over a large empire in what is now
France, Germany and parts of Italy.
-Charlemagne encouraged learning and set up schools.
-He also rescued the Pope from Roman attackers, thereby spreading his empire and
Christianity.
- After his death,his empire disintegrated.
-His son divided his empire into three through the Treaty of Verdun:
-Charles the Bald ruled the West Franks (France);
-Louis the German ruled the East Franks (Germany)
-Lothair the Central
-Charlemagne’s capital, Aachen, in Germany.
FEUDALISM:
-The dominant social system in medieval Europe, in which the nobility held lands from the
Crown in exchange for military service, and vassals were in turn tenants of the nobles, while the
peasants (villeins or serfs) were obliged to live on their lord's land and give him homage, labor,
and a share of the produce, notionally in exchange for military protection.
Key terms:
Fief = land given by a lord in return for a vassal’s military service and oath of loyalty
Serfs= aka villeins or common peasants who worked the lords land
Tithe = tax that serfs paid (tax or rent)
Corvee= condition of unpaid labour by serfs (maintaining roads or ditches on a manor)
Homage –an elaborate ceremony developed wherein the vassal pledge allegiance to his lord.
Investiture - is where the vassal was officially granted his fief or land by his lord.
THE FEUDAL SYSTEM:

-The feudal system provided order and stability. Everyone knew their place and what they had
to do.
-The manorial system provided for an economy that was based on farming and being self-
sufficient on the manor.

Manor System:
-The manor was the lord’s estate.
-The manor system was an economic arrangement between a lord and his serfs.
-The lord would provide serfs with housing, strips of farmland, and protection from bandits.
-In return, the serfs tended the lord’s lands, cared for his animals, and performed other tasks to
maintain the estate.
-The manor was largely a self-sufficient community.
KNIGHTS:
-soldier serving under a feudal superior in the Middle Ages
- Knights were bound by a strict code of conduct called CHIVALRY.
-According to this code, knights were expected to be brave, loyal, true to their word and
protective of women and those weaker than them.
CASTLES:
-Medieval castles were designed in response to the weaponry they had to withstand. Wooden
castles were easily destroyed by the burning missiles slung by siege weapons.
-Castles began to be built with stone and their walls were built higher and thicker—exposed
walls could be as thick as 33 feet.

Medieval Period The Role of the Christian Church

The Growth of Papal Power:
-The collapse of the Roman Empire meant the end of Imperial rule in the West.
-The only one institution that could matched the imperial power was the Roman Catholic
Church.
-The Church was able to contribute in preserving order and providing direction amidst the
chaos and confusion of the period.
-It was able to assert its power and influence over rulers of the different kingdoms at that time.
Pope Gregory I, the Great:
- An excellent example of how Pope was able to assert his authority in matters of governance
as well as expand the church influence through missionary initiatives.
Excommunication and Interdict
Excommunication: The action of officially excluding someone from participation in the
sacraments and services of the Christian Church. A powerful tool that the Church was able to
use in order to assert its authority over temporal ruler.
Interdict: It was imposed on entire kingdoms where the administration of the sacraments was
forbidden
Inquisition or the Church Court:
-It was established to hunt down heretics and put them on trial.
-It further boosted the power of the Church.
-Heretic was one who held incorrect beliefs according to the Catholic Church.
Contributions of the Church:
-They united the Kingdoms by having one religion.
-They provided food and shelter to poor people.
-They preserved learning and morality.
-They preserved classical culture.
-Medieval monks were expert in Agriculture.
-They emphasized justice, peace and brotherhood.

Flowering of Culture and Revival of Learning High Middle Ages

Rise of Bourgeoisie
-Bourgeoisie or Middle Class new social class that emerged because of the growth of towns.
-It originated from the word Burgh or walled town and Burghers or the people who lived in
Burghs.
-It paved the way for the decline of Feudalism
Art and Architecture:
-High Middle Ages was also referred to by others as “Age Of Faith”
-The art of the period followed a religious theme and sculptures were often saints or Virgin
Mary
Philosophy:
-Medieval philosophy was inspired by both the use of reason, the legacy of Greek philosophers,
and faith, the influence of Christianity.
Peter Abelard:
-He asserted that fundamental theological thought and questions could be subjected to
rigorous logic in order to better understand them.
St Thomas Aquinas:
-A scholastic theologian supported the view that reason could be used to explain faith.
-Scholasticism is the school of thought that advocated using reason to explain faith.
Education:
-Monasteries played an important role in educating the people.
-Most of the students were those wanting to be priest.
-Members of the upper class became interested in education which paved the way for the
establishment of schools outside the church.
Literature:
-Most of the epics written were in the vernacular.
-Often , these epics portrayed women as inferior to men.
-Troubadours (12th century) were poet musicians who wrote about “unrequited love”
-Romances were longer narrative poems became popular in the 12 th century
-Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri is considered as the greatest work of the Medieval literature
Science and Technology:
-Medieval scientists tended to accept the ideas of respected authorities without questions.
-Iron-casting was the most important discovery during this period.

MEDIEVAL TORTURE DEVICE:

Judas Cradle: A type of torture where in the pointed edge of the pyramid was slowly inserted in
the anus or vagina of the victim and the torture could continue from a few hours to entire
days. 
Rat Torture: A Medieval torture where in the victim is bound to a table or rack. Next, a rat is
placed onto their chest. Over the rat is placed a bucket which is then secured so that rat cannot
escape. Finally, a fire is placed on top of the bucket. The rat begins to panic and tries to escape.
The Rack Torture: It is a Medieval torture where in the victim is tied to a wooden structure
featuring a system of cranks. As the cranks are turned, the ropes restraining the victim tighten
and the victim’s limbs are stretched.
Burning At Stake: It is a traditional execution done to women who committed witchcraft, and
to men who committed heresy. 
Dunking: Medieval torture usually done to a suspected witch in which the suspect is submerged
in water and then removed before drowning. 
Breaking wheel: A type of Medieval execution in which the victim is tied so that their limbs rest
between the cogs. The torturer then takes a hammer and proceeds to smash different parts of
limbs over the wheel. Once the victim was dead, the wheel would be raised up on a shaft for all
to see

Rise of Strong Monarchy:

MERCANTILISM:
-An economic theory which called for the government to control the economy of a country.
-It emphasized the significance of gold and silver.
Bullionism:
- Belief that economic health of a nation is measured by the amount of precious metals (gold
and silver) it posses
Period:
-Roughly from the 1600-1800
-The Term “Mercantilism” was coined by Maquis de Mirabeau (a physiocrat)
-It is a system closely associated with the rise of nations and the concept of Nationalism
-It was a system prevalent in:
France
Spain
England
Holland
Colonies:
Are important because:
-provide raw materials
-are forbidden from purchasing manufactured goods unless they come from the “mother”
country
-can provide workers
Rise of Nations:
A nation-state is a country:
-Have a strong government
-Have political boundaries
-Are made up of people with a common language & culture
Nation-state
-is group of people under 1 government, with definite territorial borders, common culture &
language
England:
2 Germanic tribes: Angles & Saxons
William, Duke of Normandy: invaded England in 1066 & became a very powerful king of
England
William the Conqueror
Domesday Book –a great land survey commissioned to assess the land and resources being
owned in England at the same time the extent of the taxes which could be raised
KING HENRY II:
- His reign was one of the greatest in English history.
- He wanted all the people to look up to him and to their national government for justice and
protection.
- Henry II- set up system of common law—using judges & courts to make sure law is obeyed
Common laws - are laws based on customs and court decision
Grand Juries - examined crimes
Petit Juries—decided guilt or innocence of suspects
King John
- weak & unpopular king who upset feudal lords;
-Unreasonable ruler
-His nobles rebelled against him and forced him to sign Magna Carta in 1215
Magna Carta in 1215 -1st document to limit the power of a king (king could not collect taxes
without approval of a Great Council of nobles).
Great Council – made up of high officials, nobles, and bishops.
- The rights given to the nobles were later extended to all classes.
- It established the idea that the king had to respect the law.\
1295- king allowed middle class to join the Great Council—became known as Parliament
Stronger Monarchies—War of the Roses
2 royal families claimed the throne:
-House of Lancaster (red rose)
-House of York (white)
-Henry Tudor of Lancaster won the throne
FRANCE
Hugh Capet (987 )took French throne from a weak king.
---- he was the first of the Capetian kings who ruled France for 800 years.
--he strengthened French monarchy
---freed peasants from feudal lords
Estates-General—the lawmaking-body of France, consist of nobles, church members, peasants.
LOUIS IX:
-Also known as Louis the Saint
-He was the noblest and most admirable of all kings of France
-He reformed the court and abolished trial by duel
-He is remembered for his long contest with the papacy.
HUNDRED YEARS WAR:
-A war fought between England and France.
-A longest war in history
-It was fought because of England’s desire to recover her lost possessions in France; to punish
France in aiding the Scots and to lay the claim of Edward III being an heir to the French throne
Joan of Arc:
-Led the French army against the English.
-She was accused of being a witch and was burned to death.
BOURBON DYNASTY:
LOUIS IV
– descendant of a younger son of Louis the Saint.
-he was known as Henry of Navarre and the first of the Bourbon dynasty.
LOUIS XIV:
-Son of Louis XIII.
-Reigned for 72 years, the longest in European history
-He was known as the Grand Monarch
-He was a believer of the Divine Right of the king
-“The State – it is I” was his famous statement
LOUIS XVI:
-He was a man of correct habits and sound morals but he was a weak ruler.
-It was during his time that French Revolution happened.
-He was executed by means of guillotine on January 21, 1793 for treason
CHARLES X:
-Last king of the Bourbon Dynasty
-He was a believer of the divine rights of the king.
-He cared nothing for the rights of the people.
-He issued decrees that caused the outbreak of the Revolution of 1830
Spain:
-The evolution of Spain into a nation-state began during the Middle Ages.
Spain was divided into 4 Christian kingdoms:
-Kingdom of Aragon in the northeast;
-Kingdom pf Portugal in the West;
-The state of Navarre in the north;
-Kingdom of Castille in the Center (largest)
VISIGOTH – a Germanic tribe settled in Iberian peninsula until 700’s
MOORS- a Muslim group who occupied almost all of the Iberian peninsula
Reconquista: A military campaign to boot out the Muslims from Spain and re establish
Christianity
-The marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon to Isabella of Castille was a significant development in
the creation of the nation-state of Spain in 1469.
-It was under their rule that Spain adopted an aggressive foreign policy of overseas expansion.
Spanish Inquisition—a medieval procedure of punishing heretics.
“one king, one law, one faith”
Portugal:
CALIPHATE OF CORDOVA – a Muslim kingdom built by the Moors.
ALPHONSO I of PORTUGAL – defeated the Moors in 1139 and declared Portugal as an
independent kingdom
RUSSIA:
1200s- the Mongols invaded & ruled over all of Russia
1480 - Ivan III refused to pay the Mongols tribute (taxes) & broke Russia free from Mongol
control
-Ivan III became czar & made Moscow capital of new empire
Ivan IV
-the power of feudal lords was weakened & Russia conquered more land from Mongols;
-He married Anastasia Romanov
-He ruled by terror, murdered thousands of Russians, even his own son
Italy:
-Five separate states (15th century)
-Venice
-Milan
-Florence
-Papal States
-Kingdom of Naples
It was only unified in 1870
HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE (GERMANY)
-Henry the Fowler was chosen by the German duchess to be king.
-He founded the Saxon Dynasty which ruled until 1024
Otto the Great
-Became the successor of Henry the Fowler.
-He was an able ruler.
-He defeated the dukes who were resisting his authority, those he could not defeat, he
established alliances with
-He was crowned Holy Roman Emperor because of his alliance to the Pope.
MESO-AMERICAN CIVILIZATION
The Civilizations of America:
-advanced societies were developing in isolation in the Americas
-While classical civilizations were developing in the Mediterranean & Asia…
-During the Neolithic Revolution, these nomads settled into farming villages; Some of which
became advanced civilizations
-During the Ice Age, prehistoric nomads migrated across the land bridge between Asia &
America
THE OLMEC:
-The Olmec Civilization is known to be the first Civilization to emerge in America
-The name Olmec is an Aztec word meaning the rubber people;
-the Olmec made and traded rubber throughout Mesoamerica.
-There are no written records of Olmec commerce, beliefs, or customs, but from the
archaeological evidence,
-Trading helped the Olmec build their urban centers of San Lorenzo and La Venta.
-The Olmecs are often called the “mother culture” because they influenced other
Mesoamerican societies
-The Olmecs developed a strong trade network in Mesoamerica that brought them great wealth

-The Olmecs used their wealth to build large stone monuments & pyramids to honor their
leaders & gods
-Olmec trade allowed them to spread their culture to other
OLMECS RELIGION:
-There are no direct written accounts of Olmec beliefs, but their notable artwork provide clues
about their life and religion.
THE OLMECS ARTIFACTS:
-The Olmec culture was defined and unified by a specific art style. much Olmec art is naturalistic
Mayan Empire (Greeks of the New World)
-The Maya lived in present-day southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, & Honduras
-Theocratic government
CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
2 Main Periods - Classic Period (Old Empire) and Post Classic Period (New empire)
Developed a system of writing called the MAYAN HEIROGLYPS/IDEOGRAPHIC SYSTEM,;
had an alphabet;
Accurate calendar farmers;
-polygamy and adultery was prohibited; Cremation-rich people
-Poor people buried their dead under their houses
MAYAN: They were polytheists who built large pyramids to honor gods
Mayan Contributions:
-Developed system of mathematics & number system
-Created accurate calendar with 365 days that could accurately predict eclipses & finding the
day of the week many thousands of years in the past or future
-Had exact knowledge of phases of the moon & cycle of Venus
The Mayans:
Religion: Mayans were polytheistic & offered their blood, food, & sometimes human sacrifices
to please the gods
-they worship a feathered serpent god influenced by the Toltecs who conquered them.
Developed hieroglyphic-style of writing to record astronomical observations, calendar
calculations, & historical information
Inca Empire:
-The Inca built one of the largest & wealthiest empires in the world
-Incan Empire extended more than 2,500 miles & included present-day Colombia, Ecuador,
Chile, Peru, Bolivia, & Argentina.
-Most famous city was Machu Picchu
-Had no writing, but created record system called quipu (knots tied to colored rope)
-Built suspension bridges
-Built 10,000 miles of roads
-Excellent goldsmiths
-1st civilization to harvest potatoes
INCA – called their ruler
CUZCO- capital city;
They had a highly organized government;
All persons were classified according to their age and ability to work;
They kept records on knotted string called QUIPUS.
-famed for unique architecture.
Absorbed others culture.
Practiced human sacrificed.
possess trained surgeon
Aztec Empire:
-Tenochtitlán -the capital of Aztec which is located on the present-day site of Mexico City
-The Aztecs were founded by the Mexica, (came from west Mexico)
-Aztec civilization was created on Lake Texcoco—strategic with abundant food supplies &
waterways for transportation
-Farming was the basis of the Aztec economy
- Aztecs created chinampas (floating gardens)
-Aztec were excellent warriors.
-used human sacrifices to keep the gods happy—(victim’s heart was removed &
priest ate flesh as sign of respect)
-When captured by Spanish conquistadors, Tenochtitlán was possibly the largest city in the world