27: Rome's Religious Shift and Lasting Legacy

Objective: Illustrate and explain the impact of Byzantine law, religion, and architecture.

Instructions:

• Fold or divide your poster into three sections:

  1. Law: Justinian’s Code

  2. Architecture: Hagia Sophia

  3. Religion: Rise of Christianity

• In each section:

  • Draw one symbol, building, or scene that represents that topic.

  • Write 2-3 sentences explaining its importance.

  • Include at least one vocabulary word (Example: mosaic, bishop, legacy).

• Present your poster in a gallery walk or small group.

Objective: Compare ancient and modern laws.

Instructions:

• Read the simplified laws from Justinian’s Code

• Simplified Laws from Justinian’s Code

  1. “If someone borrows something, they must return it or pay back its value.”

  2. “A person who causes damage to another’s property must pay for the repairs.”

  3. “Parents are responsible for caring for and raising their children.”

  4. “No one may marry someone without their consent.”

  5. “Those who steal from temples or churches shall be punished.”

• For each law:

  • Write a modern-day version in your own words.

  • Decide: Is this law still used today? Why or why not?

• End with a 5 sentence reflection answering:

  “Why are fair and clear laws important for any civilization?”

Objective: Reflect on religion’s impact on culture.

Instructions:

• Read the prompt and respond in 5-7 complete sentences:

  “How did Christianity change life in the Roman and Byzantine Empires? What stayed the same from earlier Roman culture?”

• Use at least 3 key terms in your writing (Example: church, temple, bishop, Roman law, Christian values).

• Check your writing for complete sentences and historical accuracy.

Objective: Build a model inspired by Byzantine architecture.

Instructions:

• In a small group, use materials like paper, foil, straws, and tape to design a dome-shaped structure based on the Hagia Sophia.

• The dome must:

  • Hold a small weight (like a book or textbook).

  • Include a mosaic design using colored paper, dots, or markers.

• On an index card or half-sheet:

  • Write 3-5 sentences explaining how Roman engineering influenced your design.

• Bonus: Give your creation a Byzantine-style name!

Objective: Show different viewpoints from the time of religious change.

Instructions:

• Choose or be assigned one of the following roles:

  • Roman temple priest

  • Christian bishop

  • Byzantine architect

  • Citizen of Constantinople

• Write a short monologue or dialogue script (at least 5-7 lines).

  • Include how your character feels about the rise of Christianity, the fall of the old Roman gods, and changes in daily life.

  • Use historical facts and vocabulary words in your script.

• Practice and perform your part in small groups or as a class panel.

Objective: Create a summary of key ideas and contributions.

Instructions:

• Design a one-page infographic (digital or paper) with the following sections:

  • Trade & Religion in Constantinople (1-2 facts)

  • Justinian’s Code (What it was + why it mattered)

  • Hagia Sophia (Sketch + 1 sentence description)

  • Christian Values (2 bullet points showing how they replaced Roman beliefs)

• Make your infographic colorful, neat, and organized.