Journey 3
It is 1453 and Constantinople is under attack from the Ottoman Turks.
Emperor Constantine XI has been told that the city will soon be overrun. In
order o preserve the glory of the Byzantine Empire for future generations,
he has given your group the task of creating a time capsule to be buried
under ?"Christ's Nail"--the column at the center of the city.
Your group must select one items for each member of your team to place in
the capsule. (For example, eight (4) items for a group of four (4)) You will
have to justify your selection to the Emperor. If he is displeased, you will
be sent to the front line where you are likely to face a horrible and
painful death.
Task
Your group will:
1. Select two items from your team members'selections.
2. Provide a poster displaying your choices
3. Write three or four sentences justifying each item's inclusion and
4. Present your poster to the class.
Each team member must:
1. Select one item
2. Provide an image, description or drawing of each of those items
3. Assist in the layout, design and creation of the poster\
4. Write 3 or 4 sentences justifying his/her selections. Whenever possible,
explain what the item is, when it was produced and why it is significant
(what it will reveal to future generations).
5. During the presentation, explain why those items were selected.
Vary the types of items you include.
For instance, you may want to select:
1. Two (2) or three (3) significant pieces of art (e.g. mosaics or icons--
look for different themes)
2. An example of Byzantine literature or poetry (if you can't find an image
for your poster--you may draw a book with the correct title
3. Examples of Byzantine architecture (while the building itself would not
fit in a capsule, you may include a picture of the structure on your poster
board)
4. An example of Byzantine jewelry (remember you must explain what that
piece says about the Empire)
5. Coins or statutes depciting significant rulers
6. Images of important weapons (e.g. Greek fire)
A map depicting the Empire at its largest
7. Images of various monks or saints (e.g. St. Simeon)
8.A significant and interesting portion of Junstinian's code
9. Objects from everyday life (e.g. clothing, utensils, furniture, etc)
Byzantine Empire
http://www.crystalinks.com/byzantine.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empire
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/byzantium/images.html
http://www.huntfor.com/arthistory/medieval/byzantine.htm
Other Resources
You may use your textbook or any trade book that is available in the
classroom.