Medieval Europe - Rise and Spread of Christianity
(Frank Modern Certificate History and Civics)
Look at the following images of texts on Christianity. Write [P] for texts that are primary sources and [S] for secondary sources.
Exercises
I. Tick (✓) the correct option.
1. This was an important event in Medieval Europe:
a. The growth and spread of Christianity. [✓]
b. The invention of wheel. [ ]
c. The rise of Islam. [ ]
2. Complete the given mind map.
a. Judaea. [ ]
b. Judah. [✓]
c. Bethlehem. [ ]
3. Why did Jesus travel across Judaea and Galilee?
a. To preach his ideas. [✓]
b. To trade. [ ]
c. To graze his cattle. [ ]
4. The life and teachings of Jesus are recorded in the _____________ canonical Gospels.
a. three. [ ]
b. four. [✓]
c. five. [ ]
5. Complete the given analogy.
Constantine I: Made Christianity legal in the Roman Empire :: Theodosius I: ?
a. Made Christianity legal again in the Roman Empire. [ ]
b. Banned Christianity in the Roman Empire. [ ]
c. Made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. [✓]
II. Explain each of the following terms.
1. Medieval.
= Belonging to the Middle Ages, i.e., the period between the Ancient and Modern Period.
2. New Testament.
= The second part of the Christian Bible that tells about the life and teachings of Christ and his earliest followers.
3. Crucifixion.
= A very old form of execution that involved binding a person to a cross and nailing him/her.
4. Monasteries.
= Monasteries provided shelter to travellers, and food and clothing to the poor.
III. Reflective Learning [HOTS].
1. 'The Roman emperor had a symbiotic relationship with Christianity'. Justify this statement with examples from Constantine I's reign.
= Around 312 CE, Constantine I adopted Christianity. In 313 CE, the Edict of Milan was issued by Constantine, which made Christianity legal within the Rome Empire. Constantine I became the first Roman Empire to openly promote the newly legalised religion. Thus, the accession of Constantine I was a turning point for the Christian church.
Constantine I also supported the church financially, built various basilicas, granted privileges (exemption from certain taxes) to the clergy, promoted Christians to high offices, and returned confiscated property to the church. Between 324 CE and 330 CE, Constantine I built a new imperial capital at Byzantium, which came to be known after him as Constantinople (now Istanbul). The city included churches that employed a Christian style of architecture.
The reign of Constantine I established a precedent for the position of a Christian emperor in the church. The emperor considered himself answerable to God, which in turn made him responsible for the health of his subjects. However, the emperor did not decide the doctrine - that was the responsibility of the bishops. His role was to enforce the doctrine and uphold religious unity.
2. Are the teachings of Jesus relevant in today's world? Discuss in the class.
= In today's world, there is continuous decline of human values. So the teachings of Jesus is very much needed for our redemption knowingly or unknowingly.
Jesus preached unconditional love for God as our father. Jesus also taught to love our neighbour as ourselves. He also laid emphasis on forgiving others for their sins as God loves everyone unconditionally.
IV. Christianity is a religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus, who is acknowledged as the only Son of God by all Christians. In this context, answer the following questions:
1. Which part of the Christian Bible tells us about the life and teachings of Christ and his earliest followers?
= The life and teachings of Jesus are recorded in the four canonical Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
2. What was the name of the town in Judaea where Jesus was born?
= Bethlehem.
3. Name the Roman prefect of Judaea who ordered the execution of Jesus.
= Pontius Pilate.
V. Read the paragraph and answer the questions that follow.
Early Christianity retained as well as rejected some of the doctrines and practices of the 1st century Jewish religion, known as Judaism. Over a period of time, Christian teachings were compiled to form the biblical canon. The biblical canon is a set of books regarded as divine by the Christians. It constitutes the Bible. The Bible contains both the Old Testament and the New Testament.
1. What is the 1st century Jewish religion known as?
= Judaism.
2. What is meant by the biblical canon?
= The biblical canon is a set of books regarded as divine by the Christians.
3. What contains both the Old Testament and the New Testament?
= The Bible contains both the Old Testament and the New Testament.
VI. Answer the following questions in brief.
1. Name the imperial capital at Byzantium built by Constantine I.
= Constantinople (now Istanbul).
2. Discuss the impact of the 'barbarian invasions' on the Roman Empire.
= They penetrated deep into the western part of the Roman Empire and plundered it. The city of Rome was sacked a number of times. These groups, including the Visigoths and the Vandals, thereafter set up semi-independent states within the Empire, on the western side. Eventually, the 'Romans' and 'Germans' mixed to become new cultural groups.
3. What happened to the Roman Empire after the death of Theodosius I?
= After the death of Theodosius I in 395 CE, the Roman Empire was divided into two parts - Eastern and Western Roman Empires.
4. By what name were the women who devoted their life to God in Christianity known as?
= Nuns.
5. What were monasteries? How did they influence the life of people?
= Monasteries were strong and large buildings surrounded by gardens and orchards, serving as the residing and workplace of monks.
They influenced the life of people in the following way :
❐ Monasteries became centres of both religious and secular learning. They studied different subjects, as diverse as philosophy, medicine, history, astrology and botany. Some of these monasteries later developed into famous universities, such as the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.
❐ Monasteries provided shelter to travellers, and food and clothing to the poor. Nuns educated the children, and treated the sick and wounded. Sometimes, monks and nuns ran schools and hospitals.
❐ Monasteries also evolved as centres of production. Stained glass paintings, mural painting and wood carving developed in these monasteries.
❐ Monasteries were responsible for the spread of Christianity to other regions. Monks and nuns served as missionaries and spread the message of Jesus Christ.
VII. With reference to the Crusades, answer the following questions:
1. What were the Crusades?
= Crusades were a series of holy wars fought by the Christians against the Turkish Muslims, in order to occupy the Holy Land (Jerusalem) and the lands of the Christian emperor of Constantinople.
2. How many major Crusades were fought between the armies of the Pope and Turkish Muslims?
= There were eight major Crusades fought between the armies of the Pope and Turkish Muslims.
3. State the consequences of the Crusades.
= The Crusades brought about many important changes. The Crusades, in the course of their expeditions, came in contact with Greek culture and education, and acquired knowledge of rich civilisation. This assimilation eventually paved the way for Renaissance.
The Crusaders also learnt the use of gunpowder and guns from the Turks, which changed the old military system present in Medieval Europe. In addition, new trade routes were opened to cater to the newly acquired tastes of the Crusaders. As trade flourished, the European economy improved.
The power of the king also increased, as the traders and manufacturers paid taxes for improved law and order. The king started maintaining a big army. This also led to the emergence of new cities.
VIII. Study the given picture. Answer the questions that follow.
1. This is the picture of the apostle after whom the religious headquarters of Christianity at Rome was erected.
a. Who were apostles?
= Jesus Christ chose, from among his followers, twelve disciples whom he named 'apostles'. They travelled to distant lands to spread the teachings of Jesus.
b. Can you name the apostle? Name a few others besides the one shown in the picture.
= St. Peter.
A few others besides the one shown in the picture are - St. James, St. John, and St. Thomas.