The Golden Age of the Byzantines
HIS 2. The civilizations that developed in Greece and Rome had an enduring impact on later civilizations. This legacy includes governance and law, engineering and technology, art and architecture, as well as literature and history. The Roman Empire also played an instrumental role in the spread of Christianity.
GOV 16. The ability to understand individual and group perspectives is essential to analyzing historic and contemporary issues. |
Learning Targets:
Assessment: Justinian Essay |
NOTES PART 1 - Byzantine Art, Architecture and Culture
Use the Prezi below to complete both PART A and PART B of the yellow notes packet you receive in class. Keep this sheet when you finish.
Hagia Sophia - Church of "Holy Wisdom"
This is a great video that shows the inside of the Hagia Sophia. Notice the blend of Byzantine and Islamic artwork. |
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NOTES PART 2 - Emperor Justinian
Directions: Click on the link below to read a passage about the Emperor Justinian. Fill in the Part 2 Notes page of your yellow packet as you do. You do not need complete sentences. Do bullet points and sum up information in order to save room.
Socrative Note Check
Concept Check - Beginning of the Byzantine Empire & its Golden Age
Use your white and yellow note packets about the Byzantine Empire to help you complete the Concept Check on Google Classroom.
Playposit - Justinian Part 1
Extension Activity - 10 Interesting Facts about the Byzantine Empire
Some of you have started this! Get a the white packet (from your folder or the front table) and use the link below to get to the article for the assignment.
Games and Extra Activities
Complete this crossword for a $.
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Complete this word search for a $.
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DO NOT MOVE ON BEYOND THIS POINT!!!
A Primary Source Look at Emperor Justinian...
Procopius is one of those writers that present us with the little mysteries of history. He writes several books praising the emperor and his accomplishments, then he turns around and writes The Secret History, in which he describes the reigning emperor Justinian and his empress Theodora as the most dishonorable and treacherous people on the face of the Earth, always betraying their friends and supporters and condemning innocent men and women to exile, death, or dungeon. Procopius wrote all of his works while Justinian was still on the throne in that period of time when the Eastern Roman Empire was evolving into the Byzantine Empire. He was the personal secretary of Belisarius, Justinian’s very capable and successful general who reconquered North Africa and Italy for the Roman Empire, throwing the Vandals and Ostrogoths from power in these former Roman provinces.
Historians are still trying to guess why Procopius wrote so favorably about Justinian at first, then wrote the scandals in The Secret History, and then turned around and wrote glowing accounts of Justinian’s accomplishments again. Obviously, this work could not be published during the reign of Justinian and was only published after A. D. 535, the year in which both Justinian and Procopius died.
Below are two quotes about Emperor Justinian by his official court historian, Procopius. One is written in his official account and the other is written from his Secret History.
Historians are still trying to guess why Procopius wrote so favorably about Justinian at first, then wrote the scandals in The Secret History, and then turned around and wrote glowing accounts of Justinian’s accomplishments again. Obviously, this work could not be published during the reign of Justinian and was only published after A. D. 535, the year in which both Justinian and Procopius died.
Below are two quotes about Emperor Justinian by his official court historian, Procopius. One is written in his official account and the other is written from his Secret History.
Quote 1
It is, indeed, a proof of the esteem with which God regarded the Emperor, that He furnished him with men who would be so useful in effecting his designs, and we are compelled to admire the intelligence of the Emperor, in being able to choose the most suitable of mankind to carry out the noblest of his works. |
Quote 2
That Justinian was not a man, but a demon, as I have said, in human form, one might prove by considering the enormity of the evils he brought upon mankind. For in the monstrousness of his actions the power of a fiend is manifest. Certainly an accurate reckoning of all those whom he destroyed would be impossible, I think, for anyone but God to make. |
Which quote do you think is taken from Procopius' Secret History? Why do you think this? Give evidence from the quote to support this claim.
SOURCES ACTIVITY - The Reign of Justinian I
Many people who study the reign of Justinian would say that he was something of a paradox (he contained both good and bad qualities). His reign is both simultaneously revered (loved) and reviled (hated).
Answer the questions in the packet you are given using the appropriate source provided to find out more about how people would have liked Justinian.
Answer the questions in the packet you are given using the appropriate source provided to find out more about how people would have liked Justinian.
Assessment - The Rule of Justinian I
Now that you have learned a bit about the rule of Justinian during the Golden Age of the Byzantine Empire, you will use the information you have found to make an informed decision about the popularity of his reign and enduring impact you think he had. This assignment will require you to use evidence to support your claims.
Essay
You have reviewed multiple sources about the rule of Justinian I. These pieces provide information to begin drafting your own argument. Answer the following question:
Explain two different perspectives people living under Justinian's rule may have had about him as a ruler and why. Then evaluate the legacy you think he had on the world today.
Write and informative piece that addresses the question and support your position with evidence from at least two of the sources. Be sure to acknowledge competing views/perspectives people from his time period would have had. Give examples to illustrate and clarify your position.
So what should your essay include?
- Organized (well constructed paragraphs and sentences), spelling and grammar checked, legible . 4 pts.
Total - 20 pts.
Explain two different perspectives people living under Justinian's rule may have had about him as a ruler and why. Then evaluate the legacy you think he had on the world today.
Write and informative piece that addresses the question and support your position with evidence from at least two of the sources. Be sure to acknowledge competing views/perspectives people from his time period would have had. Give examples to illustrate and clarify your position.
So what should your essay include?
- Identify at least 2 different perspectives (opinions) that people living in the Byzantine Empire would have had about the emperor Justinian. (Christians, Non-Christians, Women, Wealthy citizens, Poor citizens, etc.) 4 pts.
- Use evidence from the sources to analyze why they would have had that opinion (what influenced them). 8 pts
- Evaluate (decide on) the success of Justinian's rule and its enduring impact on history from your own perspective. Provide examples to support your claim. 4 pts
- Organized (well constructed paragraphs and sentences), spelling and grammar checked, legible . 4 pts.
Total - 20 pts.
Thesis Statement Video Clip Activity
More Practice...
Click on the link to complete a practice activity that will help you understand more about what a thesis statement is and how to create one.
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