Investigating Biographies

Transcription

1 Investigating Biographies Unit 1: Europe During Medieval Times Chapter 6: The Byzantine Empire Empress Theodora (about ) In Chapter 6, you learned about the fall of Rome in 476 and how the eastern half of the Roman Empire continued as the Byzantine Empire. You also met Byzantine emperor Justinian I and his wife, Theodora. Empress Theodora lived a very unusual life. Although she was born a peasant, at a time when that typically meant a hard and unremarkable life, she made many contributions to women, the Byzantine Empire, and the world. Below is a biography of Empress Theodora. As you read, think about what you have learned about the role of women during the Middle Ages. How was Theodora's life similar to that of most women? How was it different? Theodora was born around 497 c.e. Her father was thought to be a bear trainer at the hippodrome in Constantinople. Remember, the hippodrome was where chariot races and other entertainments were held. After her father's death, Theodora began working as an actress and a dancer at the hippodrome. At that time, being an actress was not a noble profession, but there were few ways for women to make a living. Eventually she left the theater and took a job spinning wool. She lived and worked in a house near the palace. It was there that she met Justinian, the emperor's nephew. He was much older than she, but the two fell in love. Justinian wanted to marry her, but, by law, he could not. Under Byzantine law, peasants could not marry members of the upper classes. But Justinian was not to be stopped. He used his position as a member of the royal family to get the law changed. In 525, Justinian and Theodora were married. And, in 527, they were crowned emperor and empress. Although they did not officially rule as joint monarchs, Theodora had great power and influence. She used her influence to create many new laws to protect women and their rights. These laws granted women more rights in divorce and allowed info@teachtci.com

2 women to inherit and keep property. They also made forced prostitution illegal and created the death sentence for rape. Empress Theodora is also recognized for saving Justinian's reign. In 532, a riot broke out, at the hippodrome, between two rival political groups: the Blues and the Greens. The riot soon turned into a revolt. Many public buildings were destroyed. Unable to control the mob, Justinian and his advisors got ready to flee. Then, at a meeting of the government council, Theodora spoke out. She told Justinian that death was better than exile and disgrace. Her speech convinced them all. Justinian's generals attacked the rebels and eventually restored order. Following the revolt, Theodora and Justinian had to rebuild Constantinople. They transformed it into of the most beautiful cities in the world. They built aqueducts, bridges, and more than 25 churches. The greatest of these is the Hagia Sophia (Saint Sophia). It is considered one of the architectural wonders of the world. Theodora died of cancer on June 28, 548. Her body was buried in one of the churches the emperor and empress had had built in Constantinople. Although Justinian ruled for 20 more years, it is said that he never recovered from her death and went every day to light candles at her grave. Investigating Biographies Write a short (one or two paragraph) eulogy of Theodora. A eulogy is a speech or piece of writing that praises somebody. A eulogy is often a tribute to someone who has recently died. Your eulogy should have a title. include important biographical details about Theodora's life. summarize her most significant accomplishments. explain why you think she was an important person. use correct grammar and spelling. History Alive! The Medieval World and Beyond, Investigating Biographies 2

3 Unit 2: The Rise of Islam Chapter 11: From the Crusades to New Muslim Empires Suleyman I (about ) In Chapter 11, you learned about three new empires that arose in Islamic lands after the crusades and the Mongol invasion. One of these empires was the Muslim Ottoman Empire. At its height, in the 16th century, the Ottoman Empire included most of southeastern Europe, the Middle East, and parts of North Africa. The Ottoman Empire was strong and well organized. At the very top of society was the sultan. Below him was a small group of wealthy nobles, who helped the sultan rule. Under them came the vast majority of the population, the commoners. At the very bottom were the slaves. Men and women led very different lives in the Ottoman Empire. The typical Muslim house was divided into two sections, one for men and one for women and children. The women's side was called the haram, meaning "forbidden." The intent was to protect women and children, but it also kept women secluded from the outside world. Women stayed mostly in their homes. Depending on their social class, they took care of the house or supervised servants or slaves who did the cooking and cleaning. Slaves were usually bought from slave markets. Most slaves lost their freedom when they were taken prisoner, kidnapped, or sold by poor parents into slavery. The Ottoman Empire reached its peak in the 16th century, under Sultan Suleyman I. Below is a biography of Suleyman I. As you read, think about why Suleyman was such an effective ruler. Suleyman was the grandson and son of sultans, or kings. When he was just 7 years old, he was sent to Istanbul to live with his grandfather, the sultan at that time. In Istanbul he studied history, science, literature, and religion. As a future ruler of the Ottoman Empire, he also studied war tactics and techniques. From 15 to 26, he acquired valuable ruling experience, governing first one province and then another. He was 26 when he became sultan himself, upon the death of his father. He 3

4 immediately began to expand his empire, both to the west and east. In the west, he conquered much of Greece, Hungary, and a large part of the Austrian Empire. To the east, he waged campaigns against Persia. He was a brilliant general and, during his reign, more than doubled the territories inherited from his father. But Suleyman was more than just a military man. He also had a reputation as a fair ruler. He had many laws written down, and he enforced them in a just manner. Suleyman was also a great supporter of the arts. He himself is considered one of the great poets of Islam. Under his rule, Istanbul became a thriving center for art, music, literature. He sponsored many architectural projects, including the building of mosques and palaces. He employed one of the greatest architects in history, a man named Sinan. The mosques Sinan built are more than just beautiful. Some of them are triumphs of engineering. Historians generally consider Suleyman's reign to be the high point of Ottoman culture. While Ottoman culture continued to flourish during the reign of Suleyman's son, the empire's power slowly began to decline. Investigating Biographies Write a newspaper obituary (also called an obit) of Sultan Suleyman I. An obituary is written after a person's death. It discusses that person's life. Your obituary of Sulyman should have a title. include important biographical details about his life. summarize his most significant accomplishments. explain why he should or should not be regarded as an important person in history. use correct grammar and spelling. History Alive! The Medieval World and Beyond, Investigating Biographies 4

5 Unit 3: The Culture and Kingdoms of West Africa Chapter 14: The Influence of Islam on West Africa Askia Muhammad Toure (? ) In Chapter 14, you learned about the spread of Islam in West Africa. You also learned about the beginning of the empire of Songhai (in present-day Mali). Remember, the Songhai people were one of the groups in the empire of Mali. In the 1460s, the great warrior Sunni Ali became the ruler of the Songhai people. He built a powerful army that enabled the Songhai to break away from the empire of Mali and eventually conquer it. The early rulers of Songhai did not practice Islam very seriously. In the 1490s, Muslims in Songhai rebelled. Askia Muhammad Toure, a devout Muslim, seized the throne. He founded a Muslim dynasty that was to rule Songhai for the next hundred years. Below is a biography of Askia Muhammad. As you read, think about these questions: What was his primary goal? What actions did he take to achieve that goal? Historians do not know much about Askia Muhammad's early life. They believe he was born in Gao, a town on the Niger River at the southern end of the Sahara Desert. He probably came from a devout Muslim family. He became well known in 1492, when he seized control of Songhai. This is what happened. Sunni Ali's son became emperor after his father's death. Shortly afterward, Muhammad led a Muslim rebellion against him. Although Muhammad had a smaller army, he defeated the emperor and claimed the throne himself. It was then that he took the name Askia. Askia became the name of the dynasty and the name of all its leaders. Muhammad's primary goal was to create a strong Islamic empire. He set out to achieve this goal in several ways. One way was to expand his empire. He led a series of wars to convert non-muslims to Islam. Under his rule, the Songhai empire grew until it covered as much territory as western Europe. Muhammad also wanted a well-organized empire. He believed that this would make it easier to administer his newly conquered territories. He made Gao his capitol. He appointed directors of finance, justice, agriculture, waters, and forests 5

6 using Songhai nobles, many of whom were related to him. Then he divided his empire into provinces and placed each province under a governor. He created a permanent army of paid soldiers. He set up a system for collecting taxes. Muhammad also took strict religious control of his empire. He made Islam the official religion. He created regulations to make sure Islam was practiced properly. These changes made certain that Islam was practiced, but it also made it less popular. Muhammad founded a dynasty that was to continue for a hundred years, but his reign did not end well. Even before his death, his children began fighting over the empire. In 1528, Musa, his eldest son, seized the throne. Investigating Biographies Evaluate Askia Muhammad's performance as a ruler. Give a letter grade (A+, A, A-, B+, and so on) and a written explanation for each topic. REPORT CARD Topic Grade Explanation of Grade Performance as a military leader: Performance as an administrator: Performance as a religious leader: Overall performance as a ruler: History Alive! The Medieval World and Beyond, Investigating Biographies 6

7 Unit 4: Imperial China Chapter 16: The Political Development of Imperial China Empress Wu Chao ( ) In Chapter 16, you learned about the Tang dynasty ( ). Under the Tang, a unified China enjoyed 300 years of wealth and stability. Empress Wu Chao ruled China during part of the Tang dynasty. She was the first woman to rule as emperor in China. She made many contributions to the Tang dynasty. She was also known for her ruthless political tactics. Below is a biography of Empress Wu Chao. As you read, think about this question: Which do you think mattered more, her tactics or her contributions? Why? Wu Chao was born in 625. She was the daughter of a Chinese general. When she was just 13, the emperor noticed her and brought her to court as his concubine. Although concubines were not wives, they had a recognized social status in a household. Wu Chao was the emperor's concubine for 11 years, until his death. At that time, following Chinese custom, she retired to a convent. She did not stay in the convent for long. The next emperor immediately brought her back to court as his concubine. But Wu Chao was not satisfied being a concubine any more. She wanted to be empress. So she began plotting ways to get rid of her chief rival, the emperor's wife. There are many stories about how ruthless Wu Chao was in her quest for power. There is even a story that Wu Chao strangled her own daughter and then accused the empress of killing her. Whether or not this story is true, Wu Chao succeeded in getting rid of the emperor's wife. In 655, she became empress herself. The sickly emperor allowed Wu Chao great power as empress. She continued her practice of getting rid of anyone who stood in her way. Even family members were exiled and executed. But she also made some important contributions. Under her rule, China was a united and prosperous empire. 7

8 During much of the Tang dynasty, including Wu Chao's rule, China welcomed contact with foreigners. This brought new ideas and religions, like Buddhism, into China. Traders brought new goods and fashions. Upper-class Chinese began to sit on chairs instead of on the floor. They drank from goblets made of glass, a new material to the Chinese. Chinese music was greatly influenced by melodies and instruments from other parts of Asia. One of Wu Chao's most important contributions was the change she made in the government. During her rule, the government changed from being dominated by a military aristocracy to a more scholarly bureaucracy. A bureaucracy is structured like a pyramid, with a few people at the top and many people at the bottom. At each level, people direct those who are below them. After the emperor died, Wu Chao sent her oldest son into exile. She continued to rule with a weaker, younger son. She was 80 years old when she finally brought her first son back as emperor and retired. Investigating Biographies Using the biography of Wu Chao, create a "Wanted" poster describing her "crimes." Also create a commemorative plaque praising her accomplishments. Your "Wanted" poster should have a catchy title. include an appropriate drawing of Wu Chao. include at least four specific "crimes," or reasons she is wanted for punishment. use correct grammar and spelling. Your commemorative plaque should have a catchy title. include an appropriate drawing of Wu Chao. include at least four specific accomplishments. use correct grammar and spelling. History Alive! The Medieval World and Beyond, Investigating Biographies 8

9 Unit 5: Japan During Medieval Times Chapter 21: Heian-kyo: The Heart of Japan's Golden Age Lady Murasaki Shikibu (about ) In Chapter 21, you learned about the Heian period. This was a Golden Age in Japan when there was a great flowering of art and writing. Aristocrats, especially women, were important in the creation of this uniquely Japanese culture. Women of the royal court kept diaries, wrote poetry, and created new forms of literature. The best-known Heian writer was Murasaki Shikibu, a lady-in-waiting at the Heian court. She wrote The Tale of Genji, a story about the romantic adventures of a prince. It is a long tale, with six parts and 54 chapters. It is often called the first novel ever written, not only because of its length, but also because of its well-developed characters and realistic setting. Below is a biography of Lady Murasaki Shikibu. What does her life story teach you about the time and place in which she lived? Murasaki Shikibu was born around 978. Her father was part of a minor branch of the powerful Fujiwara clan, which dominated the royal court. Apparently, Lady Murasaki was an extremely smart young girl. As an adult, she wrote about her childhood in her diary: When my brother Nobunari was a boy my father was very anxious to make [him] a good [scholar of Chinese], and often came himself to hear Nobunari read his lessons. I was always present, and so quick was I at picking up the language that I was soon able to prompt my brother whenever he got stuck. At this point my father used to sigh and say to me: "If only you were a boy how proud and happy I should be." When she was 16, Lady Murasaki married a distant relative and then had two daughters. She had been married only seven years when her husband died. Because the royal family had heard of Lady Murasaki's intelligence and talent, they brought her to court. It is clear from Lady Murasaki's diary that she did not like everything about court 9

10 life. She was a quiet person, and court life could be very rowdy. But she recounted her life at court in beautifully detailed writing. Much of what historians know about the Heian court, they learned from the diaries of Lady Murasaki and other court women. Lady Murasaki's writing was also popular during her lifetime. During Heian times, Chinese was the language spoken and written by scholars. (Remember Lady Murasaki's brother and his studies.) But women wrote in their native Japanese. This meant that their poems and stories could be read by everyone. Not much is known of Lady Murasaki's life after 1010, when her diary ends. It's possible that she went to live in a convent after retiring from life at court. Source Diary excerpt from Diary, Tokyo: Hakubunkwan, p. 51. In The Tale of Genji, Mineola, NY: Dover, Investigating Biographies Create a historical marker at Heian (now called Kyoto) commemorating the contributions of Lady Murasaki Shikibu to literature and history. Your marker must include a title. a brief summary of her life. an explanation of her importance to literature and history. a visual. correct grammar and spelling. History Alive! The Medieval World and Beyond, Investigating Biographies 10

11 Unit 6: Civilizatons of the Americas Chapter 26: The Incas Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui ( ) In Chapter 26, you learned about the Inca Empire. The empire lasted from the 1400s until 1532, when the Incas were defeated by the Spanish. At the top of Inca society was the emperor, called the Sapa Inca. The Incas believed that the Sapa Inca was descended from Inti, the sun god. For this reason, the Sapa Inca had complete power and authority. Below is a biography of an Inca emperor, Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui. As you read, think about this question: What were his most significant contributions to the Inca Empire? Historians don't know much about Pachacuti's early life. They know more about his actions after he became emperor. Early in his reign, he began to expand his empire, north and south, from his capital in Cuzco (in present-day Peru). He went as far north as parts of present-day Ecuador. In the south, his empire eventually extended almost the length of the Andes Mountains. To control this far-flung empire, Pachacuti created an amazing system of roads. Some historians have compared it to the Roman Empire's system of roads. About 15,000 miles of road linked the Inca Empire across the most difficult terrain imaginable, including dense tropical jungles and high mountains. Inca officials used the roads to travel throughout the empire. The emperor also used runners, called chasquis, to communicate with officials in distant places. Throughout his reign, Pachacuti was responsible for the construction of many buildings and towns. He had roadside houses built for Inca travelers to stay. He caused storehouses to be built in all villages, large or small, to store food for his troops and for the people. He founded new towns in the lands he claimed. Closer to home, he made his capitol, Cuzco, larger by adding many new buildings, including a grand palace for himself. Pachacuti made many reforms that helped to consolidate his empire. He caused the people he conquered to abide by the laws of the Incas. He even created new 11

12 religious ceremonies. While this may not have made him popular with conquered peoples, it did help to create a united empire. Pachacuti reigned for more than 50 years. After his death, burial ceremonies lasted for a year. Legend has it that he fathered more than 300 children during his life. He was succeeded by one of his sons. Investigating Biographies Create a mosaic to summarize the key contributions of the Inca emperor, Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui. Your mosaic should include an appropriate title. at least three "tiles" containing visuals of the emperor's key contributions. key words or phrases that describe each visual. colorful graphics that show imagination and creativity. History Alive! The Medieval World and Beyond, Investigating Biographies 12