Bellwork: September 15th

1
Bellwork September 15th

1. The Roman empire split into the Western Empire
   and the Eastern Empire. Which empire would be
   represented by this picture?
2. Why?
3. What was the name of the Eastern Roman Empire?

2
Story Time

• This is the story about an emperor of the
  Byzantine Empire.
• Justinian
• Justinian grew up in the capital city of the
  Byzantine empire. He was raised with all the
  knowledge and experiences most kids only dreamed
  about.

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• His uncle was the Emperor of one of the greatest
  and strongest empires in history.
• Justinian received all the privelages of a
  wealthy boy in addition to your uncle having
  supreme power in the empire.
• As Justinian grew up, he began to meet more
  members of Byzantine society. These people were
  different from Justinian, as they were not nearly
  as wealthy.
• They were the poorer, lower class. Justinian
  though, did not feel they were very different
  from himself.

4

• In fact, one young lady in particular caught
  Justinians eye. Her name was Theodora and he
  thought she was the most beautiful girl he had
  ever laid eyes on.
• When he would try to talk to her, he would get
  nervous, stutter over his speech, and often feel
  like he was embarrassing himself.
• Nevertheless, he continued to try and make
  conversation with her. They spent more and more
  time together.

5

• Members of the wealthier class, however, began to
  look down on Justinian. It was against the law
  to marry someone of the lower class. Why spend
  time with a girl that you can never marry?
• Justinian became depressed and shared his problem
  with his uncle, the emperor.
• Upon hearing of Justinians problem, Emperor
  Justin felt sorry for his nephew. The Emperor
  consulted with his advisors and changed the law.

6

• The new law said Justinian could in fact, marry
  Theodora!!
• The couple was elated! They were soon married
  and the Emperor Justin invited Justinian to be
  his Chief Advisor.
• The couple lived happily together as Justinian
  learned his new role.
• Theodora loved being a member of royalty and
  quickly began enjoying all the pleasures of her
  new position.

7

• Eventually, the Emperor Justin died and left the
  throne to his nephew and Chief Advisor,
  Justinian.
• Theodora was ecstatic! She was now the wife of
  the most powerful man in the empire!
• Now, her voice could finally be heard!! She had
  seen the injustices of this empire, and now she
  had the power to get it fixed!!

8

• It wasnt long though, when the honeymoon was
  over. Citizens grew upset with Justinian and
  began to rebel.
• Advisors urged Justinian to flee to the capital
  and save his lifehowever, his wife refused.
• Theodora was not leaving and told him not to
  leave.
• Stay here and put down the rebellion or die
  trying!! She said.

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• Justinian did stay in the capital and put down
  the rebellion.
• He eventually became the greatest emperor of the
  Byzantine empire.
• He is best known for reorganizing the laws of the
  empire. They were numerous, redundant, and
  confusing.
• His lasting impact was the Justinian Code. The
  Justinian Code were the simple, easy or
  understand laws of the Byzantine Empire. These
  laws have become the basis for most legal systems
  in the modern world.

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Emperor Justinian

• Textbook pg 66-67
• Read the Graphic Novel.
• Create a playing card for Justinian.

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Byzantine Emperor JustinianJustinian

• Comp book page 18.
• Title Byzantine Emperor Justinian
• Justinian
• the greatest emperor of the Byzantine empire
• best known for reorganizing the laws of the
  empire. They were numerous, redundant, and
  confusing.
• His lasting impact was the Justinian Code.
• The Justinian Code were the simple, easy to
  understand laws of the Byzantine Empire
• These have become the basis for most legal
  systems in the world.