Module 4: The Early Middle Ages
Lesson 1: The Byzantine Empire
For each key term or person below, write a sentence explaining its significance.
Justinian
Hagia Sophia
Patriarch
Icon
Excommunication
Directions: As you read, use the graphic organizer to take notes on both Justinian and religion’s influence on Byzantium.
Justinian
The Church
Who had a greater influence on Byzantium, Justian, or the Church? Explain your answer.
When did Roman leaders divide the Byzantine Empire?
When did Justian become Emperor of the New Rome?
Why do you think Constantine chose Constantinople as the new site for the Capital of Rome?
Why could Justinian claim to be a new Caesar?
How many Byzantine emperors were there?
How many died violently?
How many abandon the throne?
What does this say about the Byzantine Empire?
What was Justinian’s Code? List the “Four Works”
After Justinian died in 595 AD, how long did his code serve the Empire for?
Why do you think the Justinian Code lasted so long?
What was the Hagia Sophia?
Write down an example of other structures like the Hagia Sophia in the 21st Century.
Why do governments often build structures like the Hagia Sophia which was built by Justinian?
List five things Justinian built in Constantinople beside the Hagia Sophia.
How was Constantinople like a modern U.S. city?
What modern day leader would you compare Justinian to? Why?
What was the “Middle Way”?
What can you compare this to in the modern world?
What was the Hippodrome?
What role did Theodora serve in Justinian’s reign?
Where did the “Plague of Justinian” come from?
At the height of the Plague, how many people were dying a day?
When did Constantinople fall?
How did strengthening the relationship between church and state strengthen Justinian’s power?
Why did the empire suffer from riots, religious quarrels, and other setbacks after Justinian’s death?
Look at the map of Constantinople and explain how its location helped it survive so long?
What two main religions emerged out of the split in the Christian Church?
Lesson 2: Charlemagne Unites Germanic Kingdoms
For each key term or person below, write a sentence explaining its significance.
Middle Ages
Franks
Monasteries
Secular
Carolingian Dynasty
Charlemagne
List the three core items that the Western Roman Empire left behind for the Middle Ages to build their cities on.
List the three areas that the Germanic invaders changed in the Roman Empire. (Hint: Look for Bold Black Words)
How did the Germanic Invaders affect the “Decline of Learning”?
How did the Germanic Invaders affect the “Loss of a Common Language”?
List some of the differences between Roman and Germanic societies.
Who brought Christianity to the Germanic group called the Franks?
As a result of bringing Christianity to the Germanic people, what happened in the 600s?
Christians men who joined the Christainity became known as _______ and lived in _________.
Christians women who joined the Christainity became known as _______ and lived in _________.
Name TWO individuals in the Church that helped create rules for these church institutions.
What was the purpose of monasteries and convents?
What was the name of the Pope that increased the Power of the Pope’s office? What did he exactly do?
What is the “major domo”?
Who defeated a Muslim army at the Battle of Tours in 732 AD? What was his nickname?
When did Charlemagne become King of the Carolingian Dynasty?
How did Charlemagne build such a massive empire?
How did Charlemagne strengthen his own power within his empire?
What happened to Charlemagne's Empire after he died?
As a direct result of Charlmeagne’s death, what new system of governing and landholding developed?
Lesson 4: Feudalism and Manorialism
For each key term or person below, write a sentence explaining its significance.
Lord
Fief
Vassal
Knight
Serf
manor
Tithe
List the Five invading groups that attacked the Carolingian Dynasty between 800 and 1000 AD.
Where did the Vikings come from?
Other Warriors, what else did Vikings do for a living?
List the areas that Vikings travel to.
What did the constant invading by the Vikings, Magyars, and Muslims do to Europe?
Who gained more control in Europe as a result of the invasions?
What was feudalism based on?
What did feudalism depend on?
Put the Feudal Social structure in order from most powerful to least powerful.
How did Medieval writers classify people?
Could Serfs leave the land they were on? Why or why not?
List the set of rights and obligations between a lord and his serfs.
How far could Peasants travel, which they rarely did?
Why were Manors considered to be Self-Sufficient communities? (Hint: Self-Sufficient means to be able to do things on one’s own; no help)
List some of the new inventions of the Middle Ages.
Name the different types of taxes that peasants had to pay on the Manor.
What was life like for Peasants in their houses (Cottages)?
What was the average life expectancy of a Peasant?
Why did Peasants/Serfs accept this type of living?
Justinian: Justinian was a Byzantine emperor who ruled from 527 to 565 AD. He is significant because he implemented important legal reforms, known as the Justinian Code, which had a lasting impact on the Byzantine Empire and later European legal systems.
Hagia Sophia: The Hagia Sophia is a famous Byzantine church located in Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey). It was built by Justinian and is known for its architectural beauty and grandeur. The Hagia Sophia served as a symbol of Byzantine power and influence.
Patriarch: The Patriarch was the highest-ranking bishop in the Byzantine Church. He held significant religious and political authority within the empire and played a key role in religious affairs.
Icon: Icons are religious images or paintings that are venerated in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Icons were a prominent feature of Byzantine religious practices and were believed to have spiritual and protective powers.
Excommunication: Excommunication is the act of cutting someone off from the religious community. In the context of the Byzantine Empire, excommunication was a powerful tool used by the Church to punish those who went against its teachings or authority. It could have significant social and political consequences.