Primary sources such as historical documents and accounts provide evidence to support the thesis that external attacks were the main cause of the fall of the Byzantine Empire. For example, the Byzantine historian and eyewitness, Michael Psellos, described the devastating impact of the Seljuk Turk invasions in the 11th century. Psellos wrote that the Turks brought widespread destruction to Byzantine territories, plundering cities, and disrupting trade routes, which weakened the empire both militarily and economically.
Similarly, secondary sources validate the claim that external attacks played a significant role in the Byzantine Empire's decline. In his book "The Fall of Constantinople 1453," historian Steven Runciman emphasizes the cumulative effect of continuous invasions over time. Runciman argues that the Byzantines' inability to stop the Ottoman Turks, who conquered Constantinople in 1453, can be traced back to years of attrition, with previous invasions eroding the empire's resources, military power, and control over vital regions.
Additionally, the accounts of foreign diplomats and travelers shed light on the external pressures faced by the Byzantine Empire. The Italian merchant and explorer, Marco Polo, who visited Constantinople in the 13th century, described the Byzantine Empire as constantly under threat from various rival powers. Polo's narrative details the challenges faced by the empire in defending its territories against relentless attacks, including those from the Seljuk Turks and other external forces.
By analyzing primary sources like Psellos' accounts and utilizing the insights of historians such as Runciman, as well as considering the observations of foreign visitors like Marco Polo, it becomes evident that external attacks significantly contributed to the decline of the Byzantine Empire. These sources provide valuable evidence to support the thesis that the continuous onslaught of outside forces weakened the empire's military, economy, and ability to govern, ultimately leading to its downfall.
in a paragraph Supporting The main cause of the fall of the Byzantine Empire was the continuous attacks from different external groups over time. The Seljuk Turks and the Ottoman Empire invaded the Byzantine Empire, which caused a big problem. They threatened the empire's land and made its military and economy weaker. As more invasions happened, the Byzantines had a hard time keeping control of important areas, which caused their empire to slowly become weaker. Moreover, these attacks made the Byzantine Empire use up a lot of their money and army to protect themselves, which made them more susceptible to problems within their own government and economy like political chaos and lack of growth. In the end, the constant attacks from outside forces were the most important reason for the downfall of the Byzantine Empire. includes evidence from primary and secondary sources to support your thesis
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