LIWA

Medieval Europe – Rise and Spread of Christianity

ICSE Class 7 · History & Civics · Chapter 1

What this chapter covers

Key definitions

Medieval means "belonging to the Middle Ages".

The Middle Ages are the period of European history between the fall of the Western Roman Empire, around 476 CE, and the end of the fifteenth century.

Palestine is the name the Romans and later writers gave to the narrow strip of land on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, between the sea and the River Jordan.

Crucifixion was a cruel Roman punishment in which a person was nailed or tied to a wooden cross and left to die.

Christianity is the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Persecution is cruel and unfair treatment of people because of their beliefs or the group they belong to.

The Byzantine Empire was the eastern half of the Roman Empire, which continued with Constantinople as its capital from the fourth century until 1453 CE.

The Crusades were a series of wars fought between about 1095 CE and 1291 CE by Christian armies from Europe to win control of Jerusalem and the Holy Land from Muslim rulers.

Key points

Questions answered

What does the word "medieval" mean, and from which language does it come?
"Medieval" means belonging to the Middle Ages. It comes from the Latin words medium (middle) and aevum (age).
Why did many Jews in Palestine resent Roman rule?
They paid heavy taxes to a foreign power, Roman soldiers lived in their towns, and the Roman worship of many gods went against their belief in one God.
Where was Jesus born, and where did he grow up?
He was born in Bethlehem in Judaea and grew up in Nazareth in Galilee.
State any four main teachings of Jesus.
Love God; love your neighbour as yourself; forgive those who wrong you; care for the poor and the weak; serve others with humility; answer hatred with love. (Any four.)
Why did some Jewish leaders and the Roman authorities oppose Jesus?
Some Jewish leaders disliked his criticism of those who kept religious rules without kindness, and feared the claim that he was the Messiah. The Romans feared that the crowds following him might rise against Roman rule.
What was the Edict of Milan, and why was it important?
It was an order issued in 313 CE by Constantine and his fellow emperor. It allowed freedom of religion and ended the persecution of Christians.
Name three barbarian tribes that invaded the Western Roman Empire and one thing each is remembered for.
The Visigoths (Goths) looted Rome in 410 CE; the Vandals looted Rome in 455 CE and gave us the word "vandalism"; the Franks settled in Gaul and became Christians under Clovis.
How did the fall of the Western Roman Empire help the Church to grow stronger?
The Church was the one body that remained across western Europe, so the Pope gained great respect, and the Church converted the invading tribes to Christianity.