Name: Honey Morante

Topic: Justinian
Lesson: 3
Grade: 7.4 (45 minutes)
Discussion

Unit Overview
Main Idea (Claim) Summative Assessment

God uses different people to expand his

kingdom (Great Commission)

Guiding Questions Objectives (know/understand/do/value)

Who was Justinian? Understand how influential Justinian

What was he famous for? was as an emperor.
If you were a Byzantine, would you
Evaluate whether Justinians reforms
support Justinians reforms
were good or could have been better.
(changes)? Why or why not?
If you were Justinian, what would Evaluate how Justinian could have
you do differently from him? done things better.
What would you include to
Justinians reforms (changes) if you
were him?

Time Instructional Procedures and Strategies

Beginning the Lesson
Show students what todays agenda is on the board.
2 mins More about Justinian
Announcement
Present Questions I want them to be thinking about because we will discuss
about them later:
1. (KWL) Why is Justinian the most well known emperor?
2. If you were a Byzantine, would you support Justinians reforms
 (changes)? Why or why not?
3. If you were Justinian, what would do differently from him?
4. What would you include to Justinians reforms (changes) if you were
him?

Developing the Lesson

Powerpoint:
He was born in the northwest of the Byzantine Empire in 483 AD and
died on 565 AD due to a plague/disease.
Brought by uncle Justin to Constantinople
Village boy Justin ~> enlisted in army ~> Excubitor (palace guard) ~>
25 mins
Commander of Excubitor ~> Senator ~> Byzantine Senate chose him as
Emperor after Emperor Anastasius died
Chose Justinian as one of his advisers
When Justin died in 527, Justinian became his predecessor
Justinian was an Orthodox Christian. He persecuted all non-Christians
and closed the school of philosophy in Athens for he felt the teachers were
encouraging young people to follow the old pagan gods.
Pagan gods: deities (divine beings believed by non-christians)
Empire bordered almost the entire Mediterranean Sea due to his dream
of reuniting the Roman Empire (he used the most aggressive military
programs in medieval history)
His reign allowed silk production to be introduced to Byzantine lands
from China (Byzantine became famous)
He was famous for creating the law; Corpus Juris Civilis The Justinian
Code based on the ancient traditions of Roman law for the purpose of
reuniting the Roman Empire. (some even still used today)
He wanted everyone to follow the same religion and live by the same laws.
(later was used throughout medieval Europe even after the fall of
 Byzantine Empire.)
Its assumed that because Justinian wanted to be with Theodora (a
dancer from a lower class society), he persuaded Justin to eradicate the
law that prevented classes to marry
Imposed high taxes
Nika Riot (victory) 532 AD ~> Green vs Blue chariot racing teams
Byzantine authorities arrested & sentenced them to death
Freed Christian slaves
Legal rights to women and children
Widows can have their properties instead of having to give them to male
relatives
Husbands could not have too much debt without having permission from
wife twice
Women could not be sold anymore
Harder for divorce
Reduced capital crimes

From Mondays KWL: (ask someone to answer after discussing with a partner)
Why is Justinian the most well known emperor?

2 mins Famous for his laws, his conquests and the buildings he created in
his capital Constantinople.

Each group (5 groups) choose either 1 of 2 questions and answer in 5-6

mins:
1. If you were a Byzantine, would you support Justinians reforms
6 mins (changes)? Why or why not?
2. If you were Justinian, what would do differently from him?
3. What would you include to Justinians reforms (changes) if you were
him?
5 mins Ask from each group the overview of their answers

Closing the Lesson

Announce:
5 mins Coming up:
Theodora tomorrow
Poster Presentation details!
Formative Assessment Differentiation

Discussion
Resources

https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=H_2E0RxVHH4&list=PL0E8SJVNdJ2i9UbJjr3X1cJGqb2eT3b6D
http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/rulers/justinian-i-and-theodora-
i.html