Thesis Statement: I believe that the decline of the Byzantine Empire was primarily due to a combination of internal weakness, external pressures, and economic instability.
Fact 1 to support my statement: Internal conflicts such as factionalism and corruption weakened the central authority of the Byzantine government, undermining its ability to respond to external threats effectively. This included power struggles among the aristocracy and political infighting that detracted from governance.
Fact 2 to support my statement: The rise of external threats, particularly from the Seljuk Turks and later the Ottomans, posed significant military challenges to the Byzantine Empire. Key defeats, such as the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, led to a loss of territories and diminished Byzantine military power.
Fact 3 to support my statement: Economic decline, exacerbated by the rise of Italian city-states and trade monopolies, weakened the Byzantine economy. Trade routes shifted, leading to decreased revenue for the empire, which hindered its ability to maintain its military and administrative structures.
Quote from research to support your statement: “The Byzantine Empire fell not due to a single cataclysmic event, but rather a slow erosion of its power due to both internal strife and relentless external aggression.” - Historian John Haldon