Warm-Up
Answer the following questions using COMPLETE SENTENCES on a
sheet of paper.
1. What is an autocrat?
2. What were two advantages of building a city where Constantinople was
located?
3. Who was the first emperor of the Byzantine Empire and what was his
wife’s name?
4. What two buildings in Constantinople did Justinian build or rebuild?
5. What is the Justinian Code?
Agenda for Today
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Warm-Up #1
Byzantine Art/Architecture Notes
The Great Schism Activity
Byzantine/Russia Worksheet
Justinian Code Worksheet
Justinian Code Worksheet
• Analyze the primary source then answer
the four questions on the back with a
partner!
Essential Questions
• Why was the Hagia Sophia so important
to the Byzantine Empire?
• Describe what the Hippodrome was
used for.
• What were mosaics?
• What were icons typically depicting?
Byzantine Art
and Architecture
The Hagia Sophia
• Built by Justinian.
• Orthodox Church
• Largest dome in world at
time.
• Showed glory of God.
• Built with government
money.
• Lots of light and open space.
• Colors reflect light, produce “warmth.”
• Hagia Sophia convinced
Vladimir (Kiev) to convert
to Christianity.
• Vladimir thought
Byzantine God must be
powerful!
Hippodrome
• Held 60,000
spectators
• Wild chariot races
and circus acts
• Hippodrome
comes from
Greek words
meaning “horse”
and “racecourse”
Mosaics
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Designs made by pieces of stone, glass, etc.
Covered floors, walls, ceilings.
Usually religious or natural themes.
Figures appear stiff (not real).
Calm faces try to inspire reverence.
Justinian
Theodora
Icons
• Small religious
picture used to
help focus prayer.
• Depict Jesus,
Mary, Saints,
Angels
Partner Activity
• Read the Great Schism worksheet with
your partner
• Pick 5 areas of differences between the
Byzantine Empire and Western Europe
• Create a poster describing the
differences and include a picture for
each explanation