Culture in the High Middle Ages World History I

The Rise of Education Universities developed in Europe in the Middle Ages.Europe – Attended only by men. – Students studied a liberal arts curriculum. Grammar, logic, math, music, astronomy – After completing the liberal arts curriculum, students could study medicine, law, or theology. – Theology is the study of religion and God. Students who complete these programs and pass their exams were granted a doctor’s degree.

Scholasticism The study of theology was strongly influenced by scholasticism, which combined faith and reason. It harmonized Christian beliefs with the works of Greek philosophers. Works of philosophers, such as Aristotle, upset many Christians because his beliefs contradicted those of the church. – Saint Thomas Aquinas made the most famous attempt at reconciling Aristotle with Christian beliefs. In Summa Theologica, Aquinas used logical methods of questioning in an attempt to answer theological questions.

Vernacular Language Latin was the language of medieval Europe. – By the 12 th century, more literature was being written in vernacular, the language of everyday speech in a particular region. The desire for new entertainment led to a growth in vernacular languages. More people spoke vernacular languages. – Examples: Spanish, French, English, and German

Architecture Architecture changed during the middle ages. – The Romanesque style of architecture was being replaced in many areas by Gothic architecture.architecture Stained Glass windows are one famous example of Gothic architecture.

Romanesque ArchitectureGothic Architecture