Historical Figures X-Ray Posters

Rubric:

Participation

Excellent group participation

and engagement in planning,
creating and presenting the
poster. All group members
contribute meaningfully.
Presenter is loud, clear, poised,
and makes eye contact.
All information presented is
complete, interesting and
accurate.
Poster is very creative and
attractive in design.

Excellent group participation and

engagement in the planning,
creating and presenting the poster.
It is noticeable that some members
contribute more than others.
Presenter is somewhat loud, clear,
and attempts eye contact.
Most information presented is
accurate. It includes most required
information.
Poster is creative and attractive.

Some group participation in the

planning, creating and
presenting the poster. It is
noticeable that some members
did not contribute.
Presenter is not easily to hear
or understand.
Information is incorrect or
lacking. It includes some
required information.
Poster lacks neatness and
creativity.

Presentation
Content
Creativity

Total: ____/16

Grade: ______ Group Members:_________________________________________

Theodora
Theodora was the wife of Justinian I. As his wife, she ruled by his side, as his partner, and her
intelligence helped to advance the Empire. The exact place of her birth is unknown. She was brought up as the
daughter of a bear trainer who worked at the Hippodrome (a huge stadium-like circus), in Constantinople. She
worked there as a mime, and later as a full time actress. At the time, acting was not a highly esteemed
occupation especially for women.
At the age of 16, she traveled to northern Africa as the companion of an official. She stayed there for 4 years
before returning to Constantinople.
Upon reaching Constantinople in 522, settled down as a wool spinner in a house near the palace of the
Emperor. It was while in this humble lifestyle, at the age of 20, that she drew the attention of Justinian, then a
government official. Theodora was not only beautiful, but intelligent, witty and amusing, which is perhaps why
she won Justinian's love so much that he appealed against an old Roman law that forbade officials from
marrying actresses in order to marry her.
Justinian and Theodora were married in 525. In 527, Justin, the emperor of Byzantium, and Justinian's
father died. The couple assumed control of the Empire. Justinian allowed Theodora to share his throne and take
active part in decision making. Perhaps the most significant event during Empress Theodora's rule was the Nika
revolt in which she proved herself a worthy and able leader. During this event, two rival political groups started
a riot at the Hippodrome. They set many public buildings on fire and proclaimed a new emperor. Justinian and
his officials, unable to control the crowd prepared to flee, but Theodora spoke up and gave a moving speech
about the greater significance of the life of someone who died as a ruler, over that of someone who lived but
was nothing. Her speech convinced Justinian to stay and he attacked the Hippodrome, killing over 30,000 rebels
and emerging victorious. Historians agree that it was Theodora's courage and determination that saved
Justinian's empire.
Throughout the rest of her life, Theodora and Justinian turned Constantinople into one of the most
wonderful cities in the world. They built aqueducts, bridges, and more than 25 churches, the most significant of
these being the Hagia Sophia.
Theodora focused on improving the lives of women. She passed laws to help protect women from
violence, make home for poor women, grant women more rights in divorce cases, and allow women to own.
Even after her death, the status of women in the Byzantine Empire was elevated high above that of the women
in the Middle East and Europe.
Empress Theodora died of cancer on 28th June, 548. Her body was buried in the Church of the Holy
Apostle, one of the splendid churches that she and Justinian had built in Constantinople. Beautiful mosaics in
Empress Theodora's remembrance still exist in Constantinople.

Historical Figures X-Ray Posters

Justinian
Justinian I (ca. 482-565) was Byzantine emperor from 527 to 565. The Roman Empire in the 4th century
was a Christian state with an Eastern focus. But in the 5th century it was shattered by internal disagreements
and barbarian attacks. Various Germanic tribes destroyed the Western provinces and established their own
kingdoms, like the Visigoths in Spain, the Vandals in North Africa, the Franks in Gaul, and the Ostrogoths in
Italy. As upholders of the Roman imperial tradition, the Eastern line of emperors in Constantinople survived
barbarian dangers, thanks to the richer resources of the Eastern provinces. But they faced internal strife,
regional unrest, and sectarian religious controversy in these provinces. In the 6th century Justinian could still
see his mission as a Latin one, to restore the Christian Roman world of the past.
Rise to Power
Justinian was born named Flavius Petrus Sabbatius. His parents were of Latin-speaking ThracianIllyrian peasant background. All we know of his youth is that he was taken under the wing of his uncle Justin,
who brought him to Constantinople for an education. The youth adopted the name Justinianus out of gratitude.
Following thorough schooling, Justinian was further aided by his uncle to rapid advancement in the army.
When the childless Anastasius I died in 518, Justin was unexpectedly made emperor, at age 66, as Justin
I. Outmaneuvering rivals, Justinian rose to higher positions, becoming Caesar in 525 and finally being made
coemperor and successor in early 527. It was also at this time that Justinian arranged to marry Theodora,
thereby acquiring an important helper.
When Justin I died on Aug. 1, 527, Justinian and Theodora succeeded without contest. During the first 4
years the burden of governmental expenses made the regime oppressive and unpopular, while Justinian's
autocracy provoked old rivals. The Nika Riots of Jan. 13-18, 532, which began as rioting among the circus
factions of the Hippodrome, turned into demands for changes in governmental policies and an effort to dethrone
Justinian. The Emperor rallied his troops under some loyal generals, like Belisarius, and had them massacre
(kill) over 30,000 rioters. Justinian punished the conspirators, thus crushing opposition.
External Policies
The bulk of Justinian's era was marked by war. He inherited war with Sassanid Persia. Only in 562 was
the Fifty-year Peace agreed upon, requiring heavy tribute payments to Persia. Justinian never considered
himself merely an Eastern emperor, and his empire had never officially accepted the loss of its territory in
Western Rome. As Roman emperor, Justinian was obligated to liberate these lands and restore them to imperial
rule.
The two primary targets were Vandal North Africa and Ostrogothic Italy. The Vandal kingdom was
quickly destroyed by Justinian's brilliant general Belisarius in 533-534. Two years later operations were begun
against Italy. The Ostrogoths were defeated in 552. Nevertheless, the region had been brutally ravaged by
endless warfare and was taken during a German invasion by the Lombards a few years after Justinian's death.
In North the unruly Berber tribes tied imperial forces down for decades. These wars drained the empire's
manpower and money. Justinian's foreign relations were not entirely warlike. He sought new trade routes.
Internal Policies
To fill public needs and to leave his own stamp upon Constantinople, Justinian built lavishly in all parts
of his empire: fortresses, public buildings, churches and monasteries. Among his greatest buildings was his
reconstruction of the Hagia Sophia, in Constantinople, one of the supreme monuments of all Christian
architecture.
Justinian rewrote the Roman legal system. In the Corpus Juris Civilis, he updated and explained Roman
law for later generations. Justinian issued laws on all aspects of his society's life. His goal was to create a just
government.
Later Years
During 542-543 a terrible plague ravaged the Mediterranean world, leaving the population depleted for
generations. Theodora's death of cancer in 548 was a cruel personal loss to Justinian. The deteriorating defenses
exposed Constantinople to barbarian attacks. Religious disagreement, economic ruin, criticism all reached
new peaks. As a result, Justinian's death on Nov. 14, 565, was greeted with popular rejoicing.

Historical Figures X-Ray Posters