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278 General History of Europe the previous history of the world ; we are much better informed in regard to events and conditions since 1500 than we ever can be respecting those of the earlier periods. QUESTIONS I. Why was Latin used by the educated class in the Middle Ages? What is the origin of the Germanic languages ? of the Romance lan- guages ? How did the written and spoken languages come to differ ? What is the origin of dialects? Can you give any instances in the Romance languages ? When does English appear sufficiently modern for us to read it easily? II. Who were the troubadours ? What were some of the ideals of this period expressed in their songs? Describe the medieval knight. III. Why did the people of the Middle Ages know little of the past ? Of what did their science consist ? What was the importance of astrol- ogy? Define alchemy. To what modern subject is it related? IV. What is the original meaning of the word "university." Give the names of some of the early universities. What is the origin of the academic degrees ? What subjects were studied in the medieval uni- versities? Why was Aristotle regarded with such veneration? What is scholasticism? How was the study of Greek revived in Europe? Who were the Humanists ? V. Why did Roger Bacon criticize the study of Aristotle ? What did he propose should take its place ? Mention some important discov- eries made in the thirteenth century with which you are familiar today. How were books made before the invention of printing? What are the disadvantages of a book written by hand? What is the earliest large printed book? What are the chief effects of the introduction of printing?