History Question

Assignment #1 10.1

Part 1: Intro Medieval Period

Intro to the Medieval PeriodLinks to an external site.

1. After reflecting on the first part of the video, tell me how popular culture influenced your understanding of the Medieval period. What have you previously associated with this time period?
2. What was the name of the empire that formed on the eastern side after Constantine moved the capital to Constantinople?
3. What are the subdivisions of the medieval period that we will be touching on in this class?

Part 2: Intro to the Byzantine Empire

Please read About the Chronological Periods of the Byzantine EmpireLinks to an external site.. Write a response that lists each of the periods of the Byzantine Empire and a short summary of their most important characteristics.

Part 3: Architecture | The Hagia Sophia: A New Architecture for a New Empire

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Click the blue link to watch a video and read about The Hagia Sophia, IstanbulLinks to an external site.. Answer the questions below using complete sentences.

1. Where was the Hagia Sophia located, and why was its location significant?
2. When designing the Hagia Sophia, Justinian instructed his architects to take a different approach. What were some of the innovative features they introduced?
3. In Byzantine thought, light held deep symbolic meaning. What was it associated with?
4. The Emperor in the Byzantine Empire was not merely a political leader. What other role did he hold, and how does this differ from the authority of the Pope?
5. How do the architectural elements of the Hagia Sophia convey a sense of mystery and divine mysticism?
6. What was Iconoclasm, and why were human figures omitted from the church’s decoration at the time of its initial construction?
7. The Hagia Sophia has undergone numerous transformations throughout history. What was it converted into after the Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople? ( In your response, please indicate the difference between a church and a mosque)
8. (Optional) Do you have any personal thoughts or reflections on the Hagia Sophia and its historical significance?

Part 4: The Virgin Theotokos and the Role of Icons in Byzantine Art

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Virgin and child bottom middle, Saint Theodore (left) and Saint George (right), and two angels in the back, Virgin (Theotokos) and Child between Saints Theodore and George, 6th or early 7th century, encaustic on wood, 68.5 x 49.5 cm (Saint Catherine’s Monastery, Sinai, Egypt; photo: Steven ZuckerLinks to an external site., CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

We begin to see a massive devotion to the Virgin Mary during the early period of the Byzantine Empire. The adoration and devotion to the Virgin only grow as we continue forward. Watch this short video about Icon with Virgin (Theotokos).Links to an external site.

In a short response of approximately 300 words, introduce the Virgin Theotokos and explain the significance of an icon. What defines an icon, and why is this particular image referred to as one?

Provide a detailed visual analysis of the Virgin (Theotokos). Discuss the use of gold in the icon—why was it significant, and what meaning did it convey?

Additionally, consider how elements of early Roman and Egyptian polytheistic traditions are visually present in this image. What artistic influences from these cultures can be identified? (This is mentioned in the video)

Finally, what visual strategies and technical skills are employed in the icon that creates a sense of otherworldliness, according to the video? How do these techniques situate the Virgin Mary in a divine, heavenly space?

Assigment 2 10.2

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Part 1: Rising The Carolingian and Ottonian Empires

In this assignment, we will shift our focus from the Byzantine Empire in the East to the rising Western empires.

Looking at the map, we can see the vast expanse of the Byzantine Empire. On the western side, it is labeled as the “Roman Empire.” Before the West eventually gained dominance over the East, smaller empires emerged in an attempt to establish power. In this lesson, we will examine two of these early empires: the Carolingian Empire and the Ottonian Dynasty.

By the late Medieval period (13th–14th centuries), the Western side evolved into the Holy Roman Empire, solidifying its dominance for many decades to come.

Watch the video Rise of Western EmpiresLinks to an external site. and in two to three paragraphs ( a paragraph consists of at least 4 sentences), write a well-organized response addressing the following topics. :

1. The Carolingian Empire
   1. Describe the key characteristics of the Carolingian Empire.
   2. Who was its first emperor, and how did he consolidate power?
   3. What were his goals in restoring the Western Roman Empire?
   4. What role did art play in his vision for the empire?
2. The Ottonian Dynasty
   1. What were the defining features of Ottonian Europe?
   2. What were the key ambitions of the Ottonian rulers, particularly in shaping their reign?
   3. What are some notable characteristics of Ottonian art?
   4. How was art used as propaganda to reinforce the ruler’s authority?

Part 2: The Romanesque Period

Read this beginner guide to the Romanesque PeriodLinks to an external site., and answer the questions below

1. What does the term “Romanesque” mean? What was its original meaning and how is it used to define art today?
2. Describe the influence of Ancient Rome on the Romanesque style of art. How is classical influence present?
3. Describe the use and function of metal work in the Romanesque period.
4. Give a visual analysis of at least one paragraph. Describe the visual elements of Romanesque figures. Describe how figures are portrayed, and what are some visual characteristics you see present in this art.

Part 3: Analyzing Romanesque Art

Watch this short YouTube video of the Last Judgement tympanum sceneLinks to an external site. at the church of Autun, and answer the questions below.

1. What was the significance of relics in medieval Christianity? Which saint’s relics were housed in the Church of Autun, and what was his significance in Christian tradition?
2. What economic impact did relics have, as discussed in the video?
3. Conduct a brief internet search on the Last Judgment. Describe this event. Images of the Last Judgement is a recurring subject matter we see in medieval art, and probably one of the most important during this time.
4. Provide a detailed analysis of how Christ is portrayed in the Last Judgment scene at the Church of Autun.
5. Who is positioned to Christ’s left and right in the scene, and what is the significance of this placement?
6. What role does St. Michael play in the composition? What is his task in this depiction?
7. What is the inscription beneath the figures? What does it say?
8. Describe in detail the imagery depicted on the long cross beam, also known as the lintel.
9. How does this depiction of the Last Judgment make you feel? Do you see it as a form of church propaganda using fear as a driving force, or do you interpret it as a spiritual representation of a significant event in Christian theology? [There is no right or wrong answer; I am genuinely asking for your opinion :).

[Image unavailable: Last-Judgment-Autun.jpeg]10.3 Assignment 3

Please read the following article and summarize the main points under each subheading found in the article. Queer Erasure and CensorhsipLinks to an external site.

Subheadings:

1. Nothing Is “Normal”

2. Unmentionable Vice(s)

3. Rubbed Out: Caressed Crucifixions and Copulating Couples

4. Same-Sex: Homosocial or Homosexual?

5. Transgendering History

6. The Limits of Labels and the Breakdown of Biography

7. Sanctity Homoeroticized

8. Queering the Present of the Past