VIRGINIA INQUIRY COLLABORATIVE AND C3 TEACHERS
Power in the Byzantine Empire
Who controls power, the leaders, or the people?
Mosaic of Theodora – Basilica of San Vitale, Italy (547 CE)
This inquiry focuses on looking at the Byzantine Empire through the lens of who controls
power and the historical narrative in a civilization.
The questions and sources in this inquiry reveal content that highlight the many voices
of the Byzantine Empire. Those voices include the main narrative ones such as Justinian
as emperor, as well as lesser-heard, side voices, such as Empress Theodora and historian
Procopius, and consider the hidden voices of the common and conquered people in the
empire.
Supporting Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
Who were the Byzantines?
What was the purpose of the Hippodrome in Byzantine Culture?
What cultures are reflected by the Hagia Sophia?
What is the contribution of Roman Law to modern legal systems?
THIS WORK IS LICENSED UNDER A CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL-SHAREALIKE 4.0 INTERNATIONAL LICENSE.
1
VIRGINIA INQUIRY COLLABORATIVE AND C3 TEACHERS
Power in the Byzantine Empire
Who controls power, the leaders or the people?
Skills
Virginia Social Studies
Standards
GOVT.1
The student will demonstrate skills for historical thinking, geographical
analysis, economic decision making, and responsible citizenship by
a) planning inquiries by synthesizing information from diverse primary and
secondary sources;
b) analyzing how political and economic trends influence public policy,
using demographic information and other data sources;
c) comparing and contrasting historical, cultural, economic, and political
perspectives
What is the difference between high culture and popular culture?
Staging the Compelling
Question
Culture Article
How is American culture shaped by its leaders, and the people?
Supporting Question
Who are the Byzantines?
Formative Performance
Task
Worksheet 1
Featured Sources
A: Byzantine Culture
B.Chariot Racing
Supporting Question
What was the purpose of
the Hippodrome in
Byzantine culture?
Formative Performance
Task
Worksheet 2
Featured Sources
D Chariot Racing
E. Blue versus Green
C. Hagia Sophia Intro
F THE NIKA REVOLT
Video: Justinian Video
Video:Video Egypt
Obelisk
Supporting Question
What cultures are
reflected by the Hagia
Sophia?
Formative Performance
Task
Worksheet 3
Featured Sources
G: Procopius Account
Supporting Question
What is the contribution of
Roman Law to modern legal
systems?
Formative Performance
Task
Worksheet 4
Featured Sources
K:
Roman Law
H: Building Hagia Sophia
I
Hagia Sophia Preservation
Video Hagia Sophia
Ben Hur
THIS WORK IS LICENSED UNDER A CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL-SHAREALIKE 4.0 INTERNATIONAL LICENSE.
2
L
Justinian Code
Video: Justinian and
Theodora
VIRGINIA INQUIRY COLLABORATIVE AND C3 TEACHERS
Summative
Write a five-paragraph essay answering the following question:
In the Byzantine Empire who was more powerful, the leaders or the
people?
THIS WORK IS LICENSED UNDER A CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL-SHAREALIKE 4.0 INTERNATIONAL LICENSE.
3