1) What do you learn about Islam from the Koran selections you read?

Islam believed in monotheism, with their god being Allah, who is described as the “Master of Judgement” as well as “gracious”, and “Merciful”, indicating that they believed that their god was merciful, as well as a believer in justice. They also describe a “Straight Path”, in which they present their religion as a guided journey . There is a distinction between those who follow the path, and those who “Have Gone Astray”.

2) What kind of person emerges from the Procopius portrayal of Justinian?

Procopius portrays Justinian as more than just a bad ruler, but as something supernatural and malevolent. He famously claims that Justinian was a demon in human form, alleging witnesses saw his head disappear, or his face transform into a mass of flesh. He describes the Emperor as “easy to deceive but impossible to ignore”, portraying him as someone who delighted in destroying established laws and seizing the property of his subjects. 

Mark 13
² “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

I thought it was interesting that Jesus decided to destroy all of the temple, as it had turned corrupt, and that he told the disciples that it would happen.