The Transitional Period within Byzantium

Abstract

The economic downturn that followed the death of Justinian in 565 was followed by significant loss of territories, including the collapse of the Balkan frontier and the loss of North Africa and Italy. In the East, Byzantium continued to struggle against the Persians and, after 634, the Arabs. Within Byzantium, society was disrupted by the so-called Iconoclast Controversy (726–843). Until the late ninth century, there was limited architectural production, on a reduced scale.