Medieval History: The Byzantine Empire (476-1453)

source
Justinian has been named the last Roman and the first Byzantine emperor. His reign was significant as a turning point between the old and new regimes.

Quentin's map, age 10
On Map 1 from the free sample at History Odyssey, Level one, “The Byzantine Empire,” they colored the area of the Byzantine Empire at the start of Justinian’s reign and the lands won by Justinian and completed the map key. Older students can label the major bodies of water (Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean) and countries (Spain, Greece, and Italy) or even the major land-forms such as mountains, deserts and plateaus.

Byzantine Mosaics, 2010
. We compared and contrasted the Code of Justinian from the Roman laws. We looked at Byzantine art.
The wealthy Byzantine Empire had a huge
influence on personal ornamentation. There
were many gold mines within its borders, and the location of its capital, Constantinople, was perfect for trade between East and West. Characterized by extensive iconography, Byzantine jewelry was often an outward symbol of faith. Badges, pendants and medallions were widely produced to denote a person’s office or rank.-Dick Blick

We made mosaics using mosaic tiles, tile adhesive and a old CD case.

Byzantine Mosaics, James' mosaic, age 9, 2010
When the boys were younger, we did a paper mosaic using the materials in the History Portfolio Junior.
sources and resources:

• The Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia of World History, pages 202-203.
• A Child’s History of the World by V.M. Hillyer, Chapter 42: New Places – New Heroes.
• Story of the World, Volume 2: The Middle Ages by Susan Wise Bauer, Chapter 4: The Byzantine Empire.
• The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia
• History Odyssey, Pandia Press, Level 1 (1-4th grade), Level 2 (5th-8th grade or Level 3 (9th-12th grade): Map 1, “The Byzantine Empire,”
• Medieval History Portfolio, Homeschool Journey
• Glittering Shards: Mosaic Hanging Decorations...
• Artful Discoveries
• Dick Blick, Byzantine Medallions

similar posts:

• Medieval Eastern Europe (500-1500)
• Byzantine Mosaics