Decline of the Byzantine Empire

The decline of the Byzantine Empire happened over several centuries due to a combination of internal struggles and external pressures. Internal issues included political instability, economic difficulties, and military decline. External threats grew from invading groups like the Seljuk Turks and later the Ottoman Turks, who gradually conquered Byzantine territories. The devastating Fourth Crusade in 1204 weakened the empire by looting Constantinople. Despite efforts to recover, the empire continued to weaken until it was finally conquered by the Ottoman Turks in 1453. These combined factors led to the gradual loss of territory, power, and influence, ending nearly 1,000 years of Byzantine rule.