The student will know 2 comparative facts about Catholicism in the Middle Ages
Prep
Opening Gassho
Intro
What do you know about the Middle Ages in Europe?
What happened in Europe after Christianity becomes the religion of Rome?
Overview Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPf27gAup9U
Talk w/ Worksheet (Have students follow along and fill in the worksheet)
Christianisation of Rome (from 300 AD on increasing number of Christians in Rome)
In 313, Constantine declares end of persecution of Christians and creates Constantinople as the new capitol. Peter might have been martyred during this time by the Romans either in Rome or near Jerusalem.
In 325, Constantine calls Nicaean Council to create Nicene Creed
Rise of Byzantine Empire
In 395, Roman Empire splits into West and East halves (L)
West Empire continues to deteriorate thanks to attacks from Huns and other barbarians (O)
In 480, last emperor of the West Empire dies; Goths rule much of the countryside. Bishop of Rome(Pope) is a powerful institution. (D)
In 554, Byzantine (from the East Empire) under Justinian I re-conquers most of Italy. (C)
Fall of Rome
By late 500s, Byzantine only has parts of Greece and all of Turkey. Long series of wars with Persian Empire and fighting Barbarians sapping Byzantine’s strength.
In the 600s, Papacy becomes a political power. Monasteries are centers of learning as well as Christianity. Europe under continual attacks from barbarians descends into the Middle Ages
7th Century: Muslims conquer Syria, Judah, North Africa and Spain
In 800 Pope Leo III crowns Charlemagne as the “Holy Roman Emperor” in recognition of the support of the Frankish Kingdom (precursor to France). Byzantine Empire is not able to protect or help Rome.
Activity: Detective Game
Explain the game and the rules (below)
Play the game
Review
Ask what the students find memorable
"Who killed Monsigner Pedro?" Game
Crime
Monsigner Pedro was killed in front of the St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Medical examination reveals that he was struck with an object to the head at around 8:30 pm. Find out who! (Find the Motive, Means and Opportunity for each Suspect). You are an Roman police detective sent to solve this crime.
Suspects
“Monsigner” Victor - Jealous (and crazy) ex-priest
Motive: Thought M. Pedro was the devil
Means: Fingerprints found on a rock near victim’s body
Opportunity: Attended services with victim
Alibi: Was talking to his psychologist at 8:30 pm
Gangster Hugo
Motive: Thinks a henchman revealed the details of a kidnapping to the victim in a confessional.
Means: Fingerprints on crowbar in his car
Opportunity: His car seen in front of the church
Alibi: Was stopped for running a red light at 8:27 pm
Countess Thedora
Motive: Confessed to having had an affair with the victim. Thinks victim told her husband who is threatening divorce.
Means: Fingerprints on a candelabra in church
Opportunity: Attended service that night at the Basilica
Alibi: Was with her lover (another) at 8:15 pm
Businessman Klause
Motive: Blames business failure on victim who encouraged people to organize against take-over of their park.
Means: Fingerprints on gun
Opportunity: Attended service; seen talking to victim afterwards
Alibi: At a dinner meeting at 8:07 pm
Clues
Cell phone records that victim was moving around at 8:10 pm
Randomly decide:
Who was the killer
Setup
Decide on the four locations. They are listed as "Office", "Gym", "Library", "Crosswalk" in this sheet. They can be anywhere in your church/temple complex.
Put all the Clues and Activity in the proper locations
During class, decide on teams (at least 2 students per team)
Explain that there is an activity before getting the Clue.
4 Activities
Jumping Jacks (20x/person on team)
Question: "Where would Caesar be if he was alive and running the temple?"
Answer: "Office". The students need to go to the "Office"
Office : Get Clue & Crossword Puzzle and return to the classroom
After they finish & get all correct, Sit ups (20x/person on team)
Question: "What was the name of the Eastern Roman Empire?"
Answer: "Byzantine" The students need to go to the "Gym"
Gym: Get Clue & Sudoku and return to the classroom.
After they finish & get the next location (Library), they need to do a "backward crab walk" with a ball on their stomach.
Question: "
Library: Get Clue and return to the classroom
Solve the crime
Climber 20x/person on team
Clue: “Where Caeser would be if he was alive and running the temple?"
Ans: Office
Password: Caeser
Go to Office
Crossword. Return to classroom.
Answers
Across: 7. Monasteries 8. Persia 10. Papacy 11. Nicene Creed
Down: 1. Byzantine Empire 2. Charlemagne 3. Spain 4. Justinian 5. Goths 6. Constantinople 9. Huns 12 Constantine
Sudoku
Riddle
Solve the mystery
Review