Primary Source Evidence:
The Byzantine historian John Kinnamos, who witnessed the invasion of the Seljuk Turks, wrote in his historical chronicle that the Byzantine Empire "was struck with fear and terror, as if a dreadful tempest were suddenly burst upon them from the North." Kinnamos also describes the devastation caused by the Seljuks, stating that they "plundered and ravaged the cities and countryside, killing and torturing both nobles and common people."
Secondary Source Evidence:
According to the renowned historian Steven Runciman, the continuous attacks on the Byzantine Empire from external groups "weakened the empire's defenses and drained its resources, making it increasingly vulnerable." Runciman highlights the Seljuk Turkish invasion as a significant turning point, stating that it "shattered the Byzantine military and caused widespread panic and disarray."
Another secondary source, the book "The Fall of Constantinople" by Peter Heather, underscores the role of external invasions in the demise of the Byzantine Empire. Heather writes, "The Ottoman Turks, with their superior military tactics and overwhelming numbers, gradually squeezed the Byzantines out of their territories, leaving them with fewer and fewer resources to defend themselves."
Both primary and secondary sources provide evidence that supports the thesis that the continuous attacks from external groups were indeed the main cause of the fall of the Byzantine Empire. The eyewitness account from John Kinnamos offers glimpses into the fear and devastation caused by the Seljuk Turkish invasion, while secondary sources reaffirm the detrimental impact of external invasions on the empire's military strength, resources, and ability to defend itself.
in a short 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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