Creating a Mosaic about Byzantine Empire
The earliest known mosaics were found in Asia Minor and date from the
8th century BC. They were made of gray and white pebbles pressed into
the ground in no particular pattern and were used to decorate the
floors of buildings. By the 3rd century BC Greek artists used both
pebbles and colored stones in mosaics to form complex geometric
patterns and scenes of people and animals. Roman artists of the 1st
century bc borrowed the ideas of color and subject matter from the
Greeks, but they used colored glass, ceramics, and cork to create tiles
of uniform size and shape called tesserae. Roman mosaics were used to
decorate walls, floors, and furniture in public buildings and private
residences. Many of these mosaics illustrated political or religious
ideas. After the 1st century CE another Roman mosaic technique
developed and artists used fragments of ceramics, glass and cut stones
in a variety of shapes and sizes, in addition to small square tiles. This
method led to the development –centuries later—of stained-glass
design. The ancient handicraft technique of making mosaics is still very
popular today. Modern artists use a variety of materials and methods
to create mosaic decorations for public a nod private use.
Overview: This culminating project challenges you to create a mosaic using “tiles” about the
Byzantine Empire that answers the question: What are the most important ideas that you
learned about the Byzantine Empire? Your mosaic needs 4 sections that represents the BE
unit. The 4 sections should represent the 4 out of the 5 themes of civilization as they apply to BE.
(you choose the 4 themes you want to represent) Use the questions your group members created
on their unit pages as guides for the information you include in each part of your mosaic.
Remember to use FACTS (how each piece of information you include shaped the empire and
effected history-why remembered….)You need to go back through the unit, look at notes, activities,
home enrichment and decide what elements/facts from each topic you will include in your mosaic.
Each section describes and illustrates key ideas relating to the 4 chosen themes of civilization.
Your mosaic should be created for an audience that is unfamiliar with the history and that
demonstrates a clear understanding of the unit’s major historical events and legacies. Your mosaic
can be like the examples in the class or it can be on movie maker, power point or your original
idea---ask me!
Your mosaic should have a creative title that captures the essence of the information you chose to
include in your mosaic. Each Theme of Civilization should be labeled as a sub heading on your
mosaic and you should have 2 major topics about that theme shown in your mosaic with a 1-2
paragraph explanation about its significance. (think: if you are doing Government, you might
choose trade-how was BE trade different from other civilizations we studied-why is this a
noteworthy piece of information. You must also identify at least one legacy from BE to modern
society. This legacy can be connected to any one of the Themes of Civilization. Draw a layout
first, or do a rough draft first about your ideas and get it checked by me by for accuracy before you
begin your final product.
Mosaic Project Evaluation:
Names:
Quality of Historic Content: (55pts) Student Assessment Teacher Assessment
*Key ideas selected show an overall
Understanding of BE
Vocabulary words are highlighted and
Defined. Dates and time periods are
Included. Historical people are noted
/15
/15
* Each topic is described accurately
Using examples to thoroughly illustrate
Knowledge
/20
/20
*The importance of each idea is clearly
Explained. The theme is evident
/10
/10
One legacy and information explaining how
It is used today in the modern world. Need to cite
/10
/10
* Visual and written information are
Laid out in an organized manner.
/5
/5
* Visuals clearly illustrate key historical
Information, symbols are used
/5
/5
* Color and creative touches make mosaic
Visually appealing.
/5
/5
* Each visual has written information about
Its significance to BE, identifying it
/10
/10
*Writing contains proper punctuation
Spelling and grammar
/5
/5
*Writing is clear and understandable to an
Audience unfamiliar with the history of BE
/10
/10
*Information is analyzed and synthesize well.
Vocabulary, summary and information
Are succinct and thematic
/10
/10
TOTAL
/105
Visual Appeal: (25)
Writing Mechanics: (25)
/105