7. Which of the following was a major factor in the decline of the Byzantine empire?

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1 point
conversion of the Slavs
iconoclasm
arrival of invaders
recapture of Rome

arrival of invaders

select the boxes to classify the beliefs and practices.

Emperor as head of the church Pope as head of the church Holy Bible
Roman Catholic Church
Eastern Orthodox Church
Both

Emperor as head of the church Eastern Orthodox Church

Pope as head of the church Roman Catholic Church
Holy Bible Both

To determine which of the given options was a major factor in the decline of the Byzantine Empire, we need to examine each option and consider historical context.

1. Conversion of the Slavs:
The conversion of the Slavs is not considered a major factor in the decline of the Byzantine Empire. While the Byzantine Empire had influence over the Slavic peoples, particularly through missionary efforts, it did not have a significant impact on the decline of the empire.

2. Iconoclasm:
Iconoclasm refers to the destruction or banning of religious icons and images. While the Byzantine Empire did go through periods of iconoclasm, with emperors enforcing policies against the use of icons, this alone was not a major factor in its decline. Iconoclasm did lead to internal divisions and conflicts within the Byzantine Empire, but it was not the primary cause of its decline.

3. Arrival of invaders:
The arrival of invaders is widely accepted as a major factor in the decline of the Byzantine Empire. The empire faced numerous external threats over the centuries, including attacks from various groups such as the Seljuk Turks, Normans, and later the Crusaders. These invasions weakened the Byzantine Empire and contributed significantly to its downfall.

4. Recapture of Rome:
The recapture of Rome was a significant achievement for the Byzantines under Emperor Justinian I, but it did not play a major role in the decline of the empire. In fact, the reconquest of Rome was a major military success for the Byzantines and temporarily expanded their territories. However, the empire faced other challenges that eventually led to its decline.

Based on the options provided, the major factor in the decline of the Byzantine Empire was the arrival of invaders.