Background to the Crusades: the Byzantine Empire
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the position of Byzantium in the 11th century and the problems it faced.
Key learning points
- Byzantium considered itself to be the successor to the Roman Empire.
- Byzantium was a Christian empire.
- The reign of Justinian I was a high point for the Byzantine Empire.
- By the 11th century, the Byzantine Empire had been weakened by a series of internal conflicts.
- By the 11th century, Byzantium was facing external threats from the Seljuk Turks.
Keywords
Empire - an empire is a group of territories ruled over by one person or group of people
Idolatry - idolatry is the worship of images
Iconoclasm - iconoclasm is the destruction of holy images
Eastern Orthodox - Eastern Orthodox Christianity was the form of Christianity practised in the Byzantine Empire
Common misconception
Towns and cities are called by the same name as they were given when they were founded.
Towns and cities all over the world have changed their name repeatedly for a wide variety of reasons. For example, York was called Eboracum by the Romans, Eoforwick by the Saxons and Jorvik by the Vikings!
Teacher tip
Encourage students to make links between the internal and external problems faced by the Byzantines: get them to consider how one set of problems was exacerbated by another set of issues, e.g. the inadequate army vs the invasions from all sides.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.To which city do all the major Abrahamic religions lay claim?
Q2.Which of the following statements is the best definition of the word emperor?
Q3.Which of the following statements is the best definition of the word colony?
Q4.Which of the following statements is the best definition of the word conquest?
Q5.Which of the following statements is the best definition of the word territory?
Q6.Which of the following were the two main religions of the Roman Empire?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.This keyword is a group of territories ruled over by one person or group of people.
Q2.Match the words with their definitions. Write the correct letter in each box.
Q3.Starting with the earliest, sort these events into the order in which they happened.
Q4.Which two of the following weakened the Byzantine Empire from within?
Q5.Whose reign was considered to be a high point for the Byzantine Empire?
Q6.From whom was Byzantium was facing external threats by the 11th century?
To help you plan your 7 history lesson on: Background to the Crusades: the Byzantine Empire, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 history lesson on: Background to the Crusades: the Byzantine Empire, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the The Crusades: did Europeans go on crusade to capture the 'holy land'? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.