Turn this into a thesis statement: Another cause of decline was the internal conflicts and instability within the Byzantine Empire. Successions disputes, political infighting, and power struggles among the ruling elite often weakened the empire's central authority and hindered effective governance. This internal instability further undermined the empire's ability to defend itself and effectively govern its territories.

Answer 1

The internal conflicts and instability within the Byzantine Empire, manifested through successions disputes, political infighting, and power struggles among the ruling elite, not only weakened the empire's central authority, but also hindered effective governance, undermined the empire's ability to defend itself, and impeded its ability to effectively govern its territories, thus contributing to its decline.