Using research from this learning object and EBSCO, what are the causes of the
decline of the Byzantine Empire according to historians? Why? What do you theorize
as the most important cause of the decline of the Byzantine Empire??
According to historians and research, there are several causes attributed to the decline of the Byzantine Empire:
1. External Threats: One significant cause was the continuous onslaught of external invasions and threats faced by the Byzantine Empire. The empire was constantly under attack from various forces such as the Seljuk Turks, the Normans, and the Ottoman Turks. This placed a tremendous burden on the empire's military and resources, ultimately leading to its decline.
2. Economic Decline: Another cause was the slow economic decline of the Byzantine Empire. Continuous warfare and the loss of territories resulted in a decrease in revenue and resources. Additionally, an inefficient taxation system and corruption within the government further weakened the economy and hindered its ability to sustain the empire.
3. Internal Instability: Byzantine historians also identify internal conflicts, power struggles, and political instability as contributing factors to the empire's decline. Weak leadership, dynastic disputes, and court intrigues created a sense of discord within the empire, making it difficult to effectively govern and defend its territories.
4. Rise of the Ottoman Empire: The emergence and expansion of the Ottoman Empire in the 14th and 15th centuries proved to be the most significant cause of the Byzantine Empire's decline. The Ottoman Turks gradually conquered Byzantine territories, capturing cities one by one, until Constantinople itself fell in 1453, leading to the ultimate demise of the Byzantine Empire.
Based on the research and historical analysis, the most important cause of the decline of the Byzantine Empire can be theorized as the rise and expansion of the Ottoman Empire. The relentless conquests and territorial losses to the Ottomans weakened the Byzantine Empire's military, economy, and overall ability to survive. Constantinople's fall, the empire's capital, was a decisive blow that marked the end of the Byzantine Empire.