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The Byzantine Empire through Primary SourcesDirections: Today you will read about pieces of Byzantine history. There are many events and people who helped to shape this empire, so you and your partner will read about them and create a product to show your understanding of Byzantine history. Please follow the directions in order below:

Read your group’s focus question. This will help guide you as you read your document.

Read your assigned document. Underline the answers to your focus question.

Use your poster paper to create a product demonstrating your understanding of the document. (These directions are on the back)

DOCUMENT 1 The City was dedicated in 330CE

Led by God, he came to Byzantium, and here he desired to build his city, and made it worthy of the name Constantine. Constantine obeyed God, and created the city formerly called Byzantium, and surrounded it with high walls; he built splendid dwelling houses; Because an earlier population was not big enough to make a great city, he brought in men of high rank and their families, whom he summoned from Rome and from other countries. He created special taxes to cover the expenses of building and the city, and supplied the people with food. He made all the buildings for a great capital---a hippodrome, fountains, porticoes and other beautiful buildings. He named it Constantinople and it became the Roman capital for all the people of the North, the South, the East, and the shores of the Mediterranean, from the cities on the Danube and to Cyrene and Libya. He created another government which he gave the same honors and privileges of Rome, and it was equal in every way to Rome in Italy; by the favor of God, it became the most populous and wealthy of cities. As this city became the capital of the Empire during the period of religious prosperity, it was not polluted with Greek temples of gods or pagan sacrifices of people. Constantine also honored this new city of Christ by building many houses of prayer hoping Christ would protect their new city.

Arbutus Middle School Office of Secondary Social StudiesSeptember 2017

Focus Question: According to the document, what steps did Constantine take to make Constantinople a splendid and well-protected city?(Note: Constantine was the first Byzantine Emperor and he created the capital city of Constantinople.

Write your names on the bottom of the poster. Write what # document you analyzed on your poster. Create a picture, symbol, graph, or visual to answer the focus

question. Other students will see this, so be detailed in your visual. Draw your visual in the top half of your poster. Write a summary of your document in the bottom half of the

poster. If you have time, color your visual.


Directions for Poster: Please follow the directions below to create your product.

The Byzantine Empire through Primary Sources

Directions: Today you will read about pieces of Byzantine history. There are many events and people who helped to shape this empire, so you and your partner will read about them and create a product to show your understanding of Byzantine history. Please follow the directions in order below:




DOCUMENT 2

Who was Procopius? Procopius was an important teacher. He worked with the Roman general Belisarius in the wars during Justinian’s rule. Procopius became an important historian of the 6th century, writing about the wars and buildings during Justinian’s time. Both of these praised Justinian. He also wrote a book called the “Secret History”, which bashes Justinian! Here is an example from the “Secret History” below:I am going to describe the physical appearance of Justinian. He was neither tall nor short, average height; not thin, but a little fat; his face was round, and not bad looking, for he had good color, even when he fasted for two days. He was a villain and a moron. He was never truthful with anyone, and dishonest to many, but could be easily tricked by any who wanted to deceive him. His nature was an unnatural mixture of folly and wickedness. This Emperor was deceitful, devious, false, hypocritical,


Focus Question: What are some of the words Procopius uses to describe Justinian?What additional type of documents would you ask to examine to see if Procopius’ opinion was correct? Why would it help?

two-faced, cruel, skilled in dissembling his thought, never moved to tears by either joy or pain, though he could pretend to cry if the occasion demanded. He lies when he speaks and writes. Then he would immediately break his agreements like the vilest of slaves. A faithless friend, he was a treacherous enemy, insane for murder and plunder, quarrelsome and revolutionary, easily led to anything, but never willing to listen to good counsel, quick to plan mischief and carry it out, but finding even the hearing of anything good distasteful to his ears.

Write your names on the bottom of the poster. Write what # document you analyzed on your poster. Create a picture, symbol, graph, or visual to answer the

focus question. Other students will see this, so be detailed in your visual. Draw your visual in the top half of your poster. Write a summary of your document in the bottom half of

the poster. If you have time, color your visual.



The Byzantine Empire through Primary Sources Directions: Today you will read about pieces of Byzantine history. There are many events and people who helped to shape this empire, so you and your partner will read about them and create a product to show your understanding of Byzantine history. Please follow the directions in order below:




DOCUMENT 3 HAGIA SOPHIA (537CE)- Procopius Who was Procopius? Procopius was an important teacher. He worked with the Roman general Belisarius in the wars during Justinian’s rule. Procopius became an important historian of the 6th century, writing about the wars and buildings during Justinian’s time. Both of these praised Justinian. He also wrote a book called the “Secret History”, which bashes Justinian! The lowest dregs of the people in Byzantium once helped the Emperor Justinian in a war called Nika. The enemies of Byzantium went against God and took up arms, they came to burn the church of the Christians. (This church the people of Byzantium call Sophia; a name most worthy of God). God allowed the enemies to commit this crime, knowing how great the beauty of this church would be when restored. The church was reduced to ashes; but the Emperor Justinian rebuilt it. The Emperor, regardless of how much money he spent continued its restoration and collected together all the workmen from every land.


Focus Question: What is the Hagia Sophia and why does Procopius seem happy about it?

Arthemius of Tralles was an architect who carried out the King’s eager intentions, organized the workmen, and prepared the models of the future construction. Another architect named Isidorus was also worthy to carry out the plans of Emperor Justinian. It proves how much God regarded the Emperor,that He gave him men who would be so useful in creating 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.










DOCUMENT 4 Laws of Justinian (529-534CE)

Besides the Hagia Sophia church the other major accomplishment of the Roman’s (of Byzantine Empire) during the reign of Justinian was the Justinian’s Code, which took centuries of Roman law and codified/standardized it for the empire. It was a massive set of laws! Below are a few of the laws which reference the Byzantine attitudes toward Jewish people.

C.J., 1.5.12 Heretics (non-Christians) do not belong to the Catholic faith including Jews. They are not to hold any office; or follow profession of law. Heavy penalties for these non-Christians. C.J., 1,5.13, Orthodox children not to be disinherited by Jewish parents. C.J, 1.5.17, There will be a complete destruction of Jewish synagogues ordered.


Focus Question: What is the official faith of the Byzantine Empire? What do the laws say about people who don’t practice the official religion?

C.J, 1.3.54, No Jew can possess Christian slaves, or slaves desiring to become Christian. C.J., 1.9.2, This is addressed to the Jews. Sabbath not to be disturbed.










DOCUMENT 5 Codex Justinianus: Return of Fugitive Slaves & Coloni, c. 530CE [Xl.48.xii.]

To strengthen the laws binding slaves and peasant farmers to the soil precautions were taken to prevent landlords employing fugitives and to ensure their return. Xl.48.xii. We ordain that slaves, or tributaries, or tenet farmers shall remain with their lords. For if by a fear of Ioss, each landowner begins to drive away those who are unknown to him, for no one deserts his lord knowing that there is nowhere a refuge for him as a fugitive. But either each one will employ those known to be free men, or will dismiss him who feigns freedom, fearing that he will be liable to those punishments which are ordained by the law. If, therefore, any known fugitive be found anywhere, his punishment should be to bring twelve pounds of silver.


Focus Question: What purposes are served by the law in document 5?




The Byzantine Empire through Primary SourcesArbutus Middle School Office of Secondary Social StudiesSeptember 2017






DOCUMENT 6 Codex Justinianus: Coloni Bound to the Soil, c. 530CE [Xl.51.i] *Colonus: Peasant farmer which is tied to the land they work (called serfdom in Medieval Europe)

An earlier law made peasant farmers attached to the soil in areas of the Empire other than Palestine, but the law was extended to that country by Justinian so that there could be uniformity throughout the Empire.

Xl.51.i. Since throughout other areas which lie under the control of our Justinian, a law has been passed by the fathers which keeps the farmers by a certain law of all time, so that they are not allowed to leave from those places, nor to desert those lands where they work, and since this is not allowed to the land-holders in Palestine, we believe, that even throughout Palestine, no farmer shall boast himself a freeman or wanderer, but according to the example of other provinces he shall be attached to the lord of the land so that he may not be able to depart


Focus Question: What does the law in document 6 force peasant farmers to do?What type of labor did the Byzantines rely on?

without suffering penalties; We further decree that full authority of bringing him back may be given to the lord of the estate.










DOCUMENT 7 From History of the Wars, I- Procopius (Nika Rebellion 532CE)

At this time [January 1, 532] an insurrection broke out in Byzantium among the people, it proved to be a very serious affair, and ended in great harm to the people and to the senate, as the following account will show. In every city the population has been divided for a long time past into the Blue and the Green groups. (Riots broke out at Chariot races against blues and greens and some were arrested) They spend their money and abandon their bodies to the most cruel tortures, and don’t think it unworthy to die a most shameful death. And they fight against their opponents knowing the result will be them carried off straight away to the prison, and finally, after suffering extreme torture, to be destroyed. At this time the officers of the city in Byzantium were leading rioters away to their death. But the members of the two factions conspiring together and declaring a truce with each other, seized the prisoners and entered the prison and released all those who were in confinement


Focus Question: What unlikely event had to happen for the Nika Was/Rebellion to become so serious? Who is responsible for convincing Justinian to stay?

there. . . . Fire came to the city as if it had fallen under the hand of an enemy. . . . The emperor and his people, with a few members of the senate shut themselves up in the palace and remained quietly there.

The emperor and his court discussed whether it would be better for them if they remained or if they took to flight in the ships. And many opinions were expressed favoring either course. And the Empress Theodora also spoke to the following effect: "My opinion then is that the present time is inopportune for flight, even though it brings safety. . May I never be separated from this purple (purple is the color of royalty), and may I not live the day where those not address me as mistress. If it is your wish to save yourself, O Emperor, there is no difficulty. For we have much money, and there is the sea, here the boats. However consider whether it will not come about after you have been saved that you would gladly exchange that safety for death. When the queen had spoken all were filled with boldness, and, turning their thoughts towards resistance, they began to consider how they might be able to defend themselves if any hostile force should come against them. . . .The emperor hoped his General Belisarius would bring with him a large army to fight their enemies. (Belisarius leads soldiers against rioters). . There killed among the people on that day more than thirty thousand. . . . The soldiers killed both [Hypatius and Pompeius] on the following day and threw bodies into the sea. . . . This was the end of the insurrection in Byzantium.

Write your names on the bottom of the poster. Write what # document you analyzed on your poster. Create a picture, symbol, graph, or visual to answer the focus question. Other students will see this, so be detailed in your visual. Draw your visual in the top half of your poster. Write a summary of your document in the bottom half of the poster.








DOCUMENT 8 History of the Wars, II.xxii-xxxiii: (542 CE) DURING these times there was a pestilence, by which the whole human race came near to being annihilated. Now some explanation of a cause might be given by daring men, for they love to make up causes which are absolutely stupid to man, and to fabricate theories knowing well that they are saying nothing right. But for this plague it is quite impossible to express in words any explanation, except to refer it to God. For it did not come from a part of the world or from men, or from any season of the year, it embraced the entire world, and blighted the lives of all men, though differing from one another in the most marked degree, respecting neither sex nor age.


Focus Question: What statements are made by the author that shows us the impact of the plague of 542?





DOCUMENT 9 Iconoclastic Council of Constantinople, 754 *Iconoclasm is Greek for “Image Breaking” (It should be noted that Pope Gregory III and the Roman Catholic church supported the use of pictures which created tension between the Eastern and Western parts of the Christian church but was NOT the ultimate cause of the break between the two) Satan misguided men, so that they worshipped the creature instead of the Creator. But in order to save mankind thoroughly, God sent his own Son, who turned us away from error and the worshipping of other peoples or gods, and taught us the worshipping of God in spirit and in truth. As messengers of his saving power, he left us his Apostles and disciples, and these built the Church with his glorious words. The Byzantines, by the Holy Spirit, could no longer be witnesses of the Church being laid waste by the deception of demons, and asked that the people of the church might look at all churches who have deceitful coloring of the pictures which brings down the spirit of man from the


Focus Question: What does the document forbid? What other faith have studies who also forbids the use of humans and animals in art?Under these rules, would the picture of a cross be acceptable? Explain.

beauty of God to worship material pictures of other creatures, and that they should report anyone who shows material pictures in the church and turn them into the government.











DOCUMENT 10 THEOPHANES CONTINUATUS -The Powerful and the Poor The Reign of Constantine VII (Reigned 913-959)

Since the emperor's ears were ringing with the injustices and hardships inflicted on the poor by the military governors, the chief notaries in charge of the armed forces, the soldiers and cavalry, he sent fair men to ease the great burdens on the poor. To the Anatolikon [theme, or town] he sent good men to the remaining towns (themata). The men, on the emperor's instruction, gave the poor a small return. Note: This seems to indicate a cash sum returned to the poor, but might simply mean a break from taxation.


Focus Question: What does the document tell you about the government of the Byzantine state? What is happening in the Byzantine Empire that causes them to place Generals in the local government?






Directions: Today you will read about pieces of Byzantine history. There are many events and people who helped to shape this empire, so you and your partner will read about them and create a product to show your


understanding of Byzantine history. Please follow the directions in order below:




DOCUMENT 11

On Appeals beyond Constantinople, and to the Emperor "Concerning the Privileges of the leading church officials (patriarch)", he remarked that "the service of the emperors includes the strengthening of both the soul and the body; the job of the patriarchs is limited to the benefit of souls and to that only." If someone abandons going to a higher synod, and disputes the proper form of pleas of justification in the rules of appeal, and troubles the emperor about this, not only shall he get no benefit or worthy of pardon, but all doors of justification will be fastened against him and he will have no hope of restoration.”

Write your names on the bottom of the poster.Arbutus Middle School Office of Secondary Social StudiesSeptember 2017

Focus Question: Who seems to have the most power in the Byzantine Empire? The Patriarch or Emperor? Explain.


Write what # document you analyzed on your poster. Create a picture, symbol, graph, or visual to answer the









DOCUMENT 12

On Constantinople replacing Old Rome

Because it is frequently brought up it seemed necessary to me to add my opinion of this, and to give my reasons...the 4th book of the Council of Sardica directs that the one who has been punished has two appeals, and that the final judgement be by the pope of Rome...I say that since the law of St. Constantine directs that the pope have all the royal powers, and that the Second Ecumenical Council and the Fourth gave the priest of Constantinople the privileges of the pope, with respect there is no chance for appeal over his decision.


Focus Question: What evidence in the documents suggests that a break between Christianity is coming?






DOCUMENT 13 Michael Psellus (1018-after 1078):Chronographia * a Byzantine monk, writer, philosopher, politician and historian who from 1055-mid 1070s served as a high ranking advisor to many emperors

Romanus's third campaign against Alp Arslan, the Seljuq ruler, took place in 1071. After varying fortunes the Sultan offered peace, but the emperor refused to accept his terms and a pitched battle was fought at Manzikert (26 August 1071). As a result on the part of some officers, he was defeated and captured, but not without great effort in the face of odds. Psellus conveniently ignores the fact that if Andronicus, the son of John Ducas, had not run away and deliberately spread the rumor that the battle was lost, Romanus might never have been compelled to take such a risk.


Focus Question: What happens to the Byzantine Empire after the battle of Manzikert? Which group will gain more control of the Byzantine Empire? What other empire did this group gain control of?

The Sultan asked Romanus what he would have done if the Romans had won and the Turkish ruler had been captured. The emperor replied, 'I would have flogged you to death! ''But I,' said Arslan, 'will not imitate you. I have been told that your Christ teaches gentleness and forgiveness of wrong. He resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.'

The truth is that Michael Doukas (emperor starting in 1071 after Diogenes) was a despicable person and some of the blame for his inefficient rule. The young emperor was being trained in logic and philosophy, but the situation of the Empire demanded a soldier, a strong character such as Romanus Diogenes had already proved himself. On all sides the enemies of the Byzantines were meeting with success. Serbia was becoming a dangerous neighbor; the Normans were threatening the west; the Muslims were advancing in the east; the nomad tribes over the Danube were re-commencing their forays; and the Roman armies were discontented and disorganized. In the Byzantine Empire itself there was constant tension too.






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