Deck 12: The Byzantine Empire and Western Europe to 1000

Question 1

Which of the following best describes the political landscape of the world between 400 and 1000 C.E., that is, the early Middle Ages (Global Perspective, pp. 290-291)?

A) Europe declined, while India and the Islamic world flourished.
B) India declined, while Europe and the Islamic world flourished.
C) The Islamic world declined, while Europe and India flourished.
D) India and the Islamic world declined, while Europe flourished.

Answer 1

Europe declined, while India and the Islamic world flourished.

Question 2

Based on Map 12-1 (p. 292), which invaders did the most damage to the Roman Empire?

A) the Saxons and Vandals
B) the Franks and the Angles
C) the Huns and the Visigoths
D) the Lombards and the Huns

Answer 2

the Huns and the Visigoths

Question 3

Which of the following was not a contribution of monasticism to medieval European society?

A) Monks helped preserve literacy and learning.
B) Monks served as models of spirituality.
C) Monks served as trainers of feudal vassals.
D) Monks promoted economic organization and growth.

Answer 3

Monks served as trainers of feudal vassals.

Question 4

All of the following statements about the Donation of Constantine are accurate except

A) it was proven to be a forgery in the fifteenth century.
B) it was publicized by the papacy.
C) it divided the empire into eastern and western halves.
D) it reminded the Franks of the importance of the church as heir to Rome.

Question 5

The scholar responsible for the establishment of Charlemagne's palace schools was

A) Einhard.
B) Angilbert.
C) Alcuin.
D) Theodoric.

Question 6

The main reason Charlemagne created a palace school at his capital in Aachen was

A) his love for antiquity and classical literature.
B) his need for literate officials.
C) his wish to translate the scientific works of Muslim scholars.
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 7

Feudal society is best characterized by

A) dominant local lords, slaves, and small farms.
B) weak central government, vassals, and fiefs.
C) active trade, agricultural production, and fealty.
D) invasion, strong central authority, and benefices.

Question 8

The coronation of Charlemagne by Pope Leo III

A) was an effort by the pope to enhance the church's stature and gain leverage over the king.
B) created what would later be called the Holy Roman Empire.
C) enhanced the reputation of Charlemagne.
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 9

Charlemagne was crowned emperor by Pope Leo III in

A) 700 C.E.
B) 795 C.E.
C) 800 C.E.
D) 895 C.E.

Question 10

Trace the history of Christianity down to the coronation of Charlemagne in 800. What distinctive features characterized the early church? What role did the church play in the world after the fall of the Western Roman Empire?
Conceptual

Question 11

The Christian church received much of the Roman "spirit."
Where do you see this "spirit"
evident in the church and especially in the monastic rules of St. Benedict as contained in the text?
Conceptual

Question 12

Trace the growth of the Frankish kingdom, including its relations with the church, down to Charlemagne. Then describe Charlemagne, the man and the ruler, and his society. How and why did his empire break up?
Conceptual

Question 13

Compare and contrast the administration of the Carolingian Empire with the administration of the Roman Empire in the first two centuries C.E. With an even greater territory to govern, why was Rome more successful?
Conceptual

Question 14

Why did Charlemagne encourage learning at his court? How could the Carolingian renaissance have been dangerous to Charlemagne's rule?
Conceptual

Question 15

Detail the successive invasions of Europe after the fall of Rome. Who were the invaders and why did they invade? What were their similarities and differences? Many historians believe that these invasions greatly altered the institutions of Europe; how did they do so and what aspects were most affected?
Conceptual

Question 16

The scholars of the Renaissance viewed the early Middle Ages in Europe as the Dark Ages and believed that it represented a step backward in terms of culture, education, and government from the high point of ancient Greece and Rome. Assess this perception-what reasons might we have to qualify or dismiss it?
Conceptual

Question 17

Discuss the political structure that emerged during the Early Middle Ages. What function did vassalage serve? Evaluate the relative efficiency of the vassalage system. What other alternatives, if any, might Europeans have explored?
Conceptual

Question 18

Justinian is considered by many historians to be the greatest Byzantine emperor. What were his main policies, innovations, and primary achievements? What was the particular importance of his law code? Compare his reign to earlier Roman emperors, such as Caesar Augustus, and to Charlemagne. What are the similarities and differences? Do you think that he deserves the reputation that historians have bestowed upon him? Why or why not?
Conceptual

Question 19

Compare and contrast the advance of Islam as it impacted western Europe and Byzantium. What factors led to the success or failure of Islam against the Christian world?
Conceptual

Question 20

How did Empress Theodora serve as a role model for women in the Byzantine world? How did her power and involvement in affairs of the state create controversy? What was her impact on the Byzantine world?
Conceptual

Question 21

Compare and contrast the achievements of the Carolingians to those of the Byzantines. What challenges did each civilization face and how successful were they in meeting them?
Conceptual

Question 22

In what ways did the Carolingian "renaissance" represent a "rebirth" or "reawakening" of learning? What were its primary achievements?
Conceptual

Question 23

What were the conditions that led to the breakdown of Carolingian society? Compare these conditions to those that led to the fall of the Western Roman Empire. How did the invasions of the ninth century impact the Carolingian world? Was the result as profound as that of the earlier invasions? Why or why not?
Conceptual