Unit 7

Question 1

Austronesian

Answer 1

A major language family originating in Oceania and Southeast Asia ranking as the 5th largest language family in the world. Includes languages spoken across the Pacific islands.

Question 2

Lapita People

Answer 2

An archaeological culture (not a historical self-designation) that thrived in Oceania from approximately 1600-500 BCE. They spread from Papua New Guinea eastward to Tonga and Samoa. Known for their distinctive pottery with intricate geometric designs they practiced agriculture, lived in coastal villages, and were skilled seafarers who facilitated trade networks across the Pacific.

Question 3

Nestorian Christianity Also known as Syriac Christianity or the Church of the East

Answer 3

This branch of Christianity spread between 300-600 CE and beyond. It emphasized the distinction between Christ’s human and divine natures. Despite being declared heretical by mainstream Christianity

Question 4

Axum (or Aksum)

Answer 4

A powerful ancient kingdom (100-940 CE) located in present-day Ethiopia and Eritrea. While agriculture supported the population. Axum’s wealth came primarily from its strategic position as a trading hub

Question 5

Ge’ez

Answer 5

The ancient Semitic language of the Axum kingdom related to Arabic and Hebrew. It developed its own unique script and served as the liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church

Question 6

Catholic Christianity

Answer 6

The mainstream branch of Christianity that emerged from early theological debates particularly the Council of Nicaea (325 CE). Catholics affirmed the doctrine of the Trinity—that God the Father and the Son are one.

Question 7

Arian Christianity

Answer 7

A Christian theological position named after Arius a priest from Alexandria. Arians believed that Jesus Christ was created of the Father and that they are not one. So Similar to Muhammad.

Question 8

The pope

Answer 8

The bishop of Rome and leader of the Catholic Church. The title “pope” derives from the Latin “papa” meaning “father.” Also called the Supreme Pontiff (pontifex maximus) the pope claims spiritual authority as the successor of Saint Peter. The papacy became increasingly powerful in medieval Europe

Question 9

Byzantium

Answer 9

The name used by historians for the Eastern Roman Empire after the fall of the Western Roman Empire (476 CE). Its capital was Constantinople (formerly Byzantium modern Istanbul). The Byzantines called themselves “Romans” and preserved Roman law

Question 10

Justinian I and Theodora

Answer 10

Justinian I (r. 527-565 CE) was one of Byzantium’s greatest emperors who attempted to reconquer the former Western Roman territories successfully retaking North Africa

Question 11

Iconoclasm

Answer 11

A religious movement in the Byzantine Empire (726-843 CE) that opposed the veneration of religious icons (images of Christ, Mary, etc) so they got rid of them or painted over them.

Question 12

Schism of 1054

Answer 12

The Great Schism that formally divided Christianity into the Roman Catholic Church (West) and Eastern Orthodox Church (East). The split resulted from theological disagreements (such as the filioque clause) and disputes over papal authority

Question 13

Successor states

Answer 13

The Germanic kingdoms that formed after the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE. These included the Frankish Kingdom, Visigothic Spain, and others.

Question 14

King Clovis I

Answer 14

King of the Franks (r. 481-511 CE) who united Frankish tribes and established the Merovingian dynasty. According to tradition he converted to Catholic Christianity around 496 CE after winning a crucial battle. (Not related to the Clovis point tribe in unit 1)

Question 15

Charlemagne, Charles the Great (r. 768-814 CE)

Answer 15

King of the Franks and later Emperor of the Romans (crowned 800 CE). He expanded Frankish territory to include most of Western and Central Europe

Question 16

Carolingian Renaissance

Answer 16

A period of cultural and intellectual revival during Charlemagne’s reign and afterward (late 8th-9th centuries). Charlemagne promoted education established schools

Question 17

The Slavs

Answer 17

A major ethnic and linguistic group in Eastern and Central Europe. Living along the borders of the Byzantine Empire and beyond Slavic peoples shared related languages but were divided into many tribes and later nations (including Russians)

Question 18

Vikings

Answer 18

Scandinavian seafarers warriors. Often seen as one people in history this was not the case and it was much more tribal. They would raid along the rivers and oceans of Europe and were well versed in boat making and sea/river travel.

Question 19

Kievan Rus

Answer 19

A federation of Slavic and Finnic peoples under the rule of a Varangian (Viking) warrior elite established in the 9th century. Was a powerful city and Prince Oleg was one of their first rulers.

Question 20

Prince Vladimir, Vladimir the Great (r. 980-1015 CE)

Answer 20

Was a prince or King of Kievan Rus. Was given a wife in exchange for troops and assistance for the Byzantine empire. In order to do this he needed to convert to christianity. So he did. So the Kievan Rus became Christian.

Question 21

Bedouins

Answer 21

Nomadic Arab tribes of the Arabian Peninsula who traditionally herded camels, and sheep

Question 22

Mecca

Answer 22

A major commercial and religious center in western Arabia (in modern Saudi Arabia). Before Islam. Mecca was a pilgrimage site for polytheistic Arabs due to the presence of the Kaaba

Question 23

Quraysh

Answer 23

The most powerful tribe in Mecca during the 6th-7th centuries CE. They controlled the Kaaba sanctuary and profited from the pilgrimage trade. Muhammad was born into the Quraysh tribe but most Quraysh leaders initially opposed his message because it threatened their economic interests tied to polytheistic pilgrimage and their social authority.

Question 24

Kaaba

Answer 24

A cube-shaped stone building in Mecca that was considered the most sacred site in Islam.

Question 25

Muhammad Ibn Abdullah

Answer 25

The prophet and founder of Islam (c. 570-632 CE). Born in Mecca into the Quraysh tribe he was orphaned as a child and raised by relatives. He worked as a merchant and married Khadija a widow. He eventually started to have visions and established the religion of Islam as the Lords last prophet.

Question 26

The Quran

Answer 26

The holy scripture of Islam believed by Muslims to be the literal word of God (Allah) as revealed to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel between 610-632 CE. It was compiled into written form shortly after Muhammad's death.

Question 27

Five Pillars of Islam

Answer 27

The five fundamental acts of worship that define Muslim practice: (1) Shahada—declaring faith that "There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His messenger"; (2) Salat—praying five times daily facing Mecca; (3) Zakat—giving a portion of wealth to charity (typically 2.5% annually); (4) Sawm—fasting from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan; (5) Hajj—making a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime if physically and financially able.

Question 28

Yathrib/Medina

Answer 28

An oasis city in western Arabia about 200 miles north of Mecca. In 622 CE. Muhammad moved here after his persecution in Mecca.

Question 29

Umma

Answer 29

The global community of Muslim believers transcending tribal origins.

Question 30

Hijra

Answer 30

The migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE escaping persecution from the Quraysh. This event marks year 1 of the Islamic calendar because it represents the establishment of the first Muslim community with political autonomy. The Hijra is comparable to the Exodus in Jewish tradition as a defining moment of community formation through migration.

Question 31

The Battle of Badr

Answer 31

A pivotal battle fought in 624 CE between Muhammad's Muslim community from Medina and the Quraysh of Mecca. The Muslims though significantly outnumbered won, which boosted morale and faith.