What was it?
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SUCCESS
- Allowed peasants to move up the social class ladder -Strengthened the class of free peasants -With the increase of lower class people joining the army, it effectively strengthen it and made it bigger -With a bigger an stronger army the Byzantines were able to acquire more land- which meant more land for peasants who joined the army -By giving the lower class people land; it limited wealthy people from taking over everything -Benefited the agricultural aspect of the economy (During the 6th/8th/10th century- Byzantine authorities limited acclimation of land by wealthy class & therefore strengthened the peasantry) |
DECLINE
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Analysis:
The theme system promoted lower class to join the military, since the Byzantine Empire was under constant attack by various groups. By having many new recruits, the military was essentially strengthened and after their service the peasants gained land and moved up the social class ladder which therefore earned them wealth. By allowing these lower classes land it strengthened the agricultural economy and limited how much wealthier citizens could take over. |
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