Byzantine Empire Homework Assignment
This month’s project is history-based. You will be creating a project that has 2 components: a piece of
Byzantine Mosaic Art and a coordinating written component. Both are worth 50 points and are due on
Monday, February 10th, 2014.
Mosaic Component:
Many cultures have used Mosaics for art. Byzantine artist built on Roman techniques to create their own
unique style of mosaic art, which then become very well known.
Byzantine Mosaics include:
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Stone and marble pieces of many colors
Tesserae (cubes) of brick terra cotta, and even jewels
Smalti – color or clear glass tesserae from northern Italy.
Byzantine mosaic techniques include:
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Use of foil on the back or in between smalti to create gold or silver tesserae
Use of pieces cut or placed at an angle to capture light and suggested movement
Use of varying sizes of tesserae to create exceptional detail
Use of nature-colored stone for faces and hands on figures to suggest the look and color of real skin
Assignment:
Your job is to create a mosaic that symbolizes both Byzantine culture and your personal expression. You can
choose to depict something realistic or an abstract design. You have creative freedom to choose whatever
you would like to design; however, it must in some way relate to Byzantine culture. In other words, no sports
team logos or other present day ideas.
Materials:
A variety of art and home materials can be used for mosaics including: dry beans, colored paper, tiles, foil,
beads, plastic jewels, and much more.
Here are some examples: the first is made from paper, and the other two are made from beans. (You CANNOT
use these designs)
Written Component
During English, you have all been working on writing a narrative. This part of the project will allow you to
showcase your narrative writing skills as well as connect to your mosaic. (If you do not know what a
narrative is, that’s okay, just ask Ms. Rappoccio for some help!)
Prompt:
An archaeologist recently began exploring undiscovered locations near where the Byzantine Empire used to
be. During one of her digs, she discovered your mosaic! Next to the mosaic was a manuscript….
Assignment:
Write a narrative that connects to your mosaic. This can be from the artist’s, archaeologist’s, or even the
mosaic’s point of view! Make sure that you describe what your mosaic symbolizes and why you have chosen
this symbol. For example, you can write a story about how someone hired an artist to create this mosaic or
perhaps an artist was trying to earn money to feed his/her family. The options are endless! Be creative while
utilizing what you’ve learned about writing a narrative. Refer to the table below to make sure that your
narrative includes all of the necessary components.
With my narrative,
I can engage the reader.
I can establish a point of view.
I can introduce a narrator and characters.
I can create a natural and logic sequence (story plot)
I can use narrative techniques (dialogue, pacing,
description) to develop characters and events.
I can use a variety of transitional words and phrases
to show sequence of events.
I can use descriptive details and sensory language to
capture the action and portray events.
I can provide a natural conclusion to the narrative.
Mosaic
Connects in some way to Byzantine Culture
Demonstrates Creativity
Final Product Turned in by November 1st
Score
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Narrative
Clearly written narrative with all necessary
/20
components.
Neatly written or typed and proofread for
/20
errors
Demonstrates Creativity
/10 Final Product Turned in by November 1st
Score
/20
/5
/20
/5