4th to mid 7th century

Recovery and consolidation: The Medieval Byzantine State (9th-10th centuries)

Gold coin of the emperor Basil II (reigned 976-1025). During his reign he enriched the state treasury and tried to restrict the power of wealthy landowners. A competent general, Basil II fought many wars and succeeded in expanding Byzantine territory.

After the mid 9th century, signs of recovery became apparent in all domains of Byzantine society. The end of the iconoclastic controversy found imperial power confirmed over church. Although the winning iconolatric party has been primarily led by monks, the role of monasteries in the following years was restricted. Imperial court and the aristocracy of the capital played a vital role in the centralised Medieval Byzantine State. Constantinople became the centre of the Empire’s trade, politics and culture. Its importance is apparent in the art and architecture of the period, that presents impressive homogeneity.

The economy was revived; the political stability, in combination with the army reorganisation, turned Byzantium on the offensive. By the mid 10th century it managed to confront successfully Arab invasions and to regain important territories, such as Crete and Syria.

This period is often called Macedonian renaissance, after the ruling Macedonian dynasty, but more appropriate is: Age of Encyclopedism a name proposed by a famous scholar, Paul Lemerle. During this era, many works of ancient writers were copied (Homer, Plato, Aristotle etc.). Also, important administrative and military matters were regularised through the compilation of books on imperial court ceremonies, diplomacy and the administrative and military organisation of the empire.