Scientists have recently uncovered new geological findings that strengthen the theory that a severe cold period, known as the "Late Antique Little Ice Age" (LALIA), played a crucial role in the collapse of the Byzantine Empire.
The research suggests that LALIA, which began around 540 AD, had a far greater impact than previously believed and significantly affected the Byzantine Empire, long before the military and political shifts of the next 1,000 years led to the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans.
Volcanic Eruptions and Sudden Cooling
According to Professor Thomas Gernon, a geoscientist at the University of Southampton, LALIA was triggered by three massive volcanic eruptions that released large amounts of ash into the atmosphere, blocking solar radiation. This cold period lasted for 200 to 300 years and was accompanied by severe geopolitical upheaval, including significant population movements.
Average temperatures in Europe dropped by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius, which dramatically affected agricultural production. The temperature drop led to widespread crop failures, increased animal mortality, a sharp rise in food prices, and ultimately, famine and widespread disease among the population.
The Plague of Justinian and Political Instability
LALIA coincided with the outbreak of the Plague of Justinian in 541 AD, which killed between 30 to 50 million people worldwide, about half of the global population at the time. This occurred during a period when the Byzantine Empire was engaged in continuous wars due to Emperor Justinian's expansionist campaigns and internal religious conflicts.
“These events occurred during a turbulent time for the Eastern Empire, which was almost constantly at war, expanding its territories under Emperor Justinian, and grappling with internal religious strife,” said Professor Gernon.
Gernon also emphasizes that LALIA significantly hampered the empire’s ability to recover from these crises and contributed to its long-term deterioration.
"It seems likely that LALIA tipped the balance at a time when the Byzantine Empire was already nearing its breaking point," he stated.
Geological Evidence Supporting the Theory
The research team discovered unusual rocks in an elevated marine embankment in the northwest of Iceland. To determine the origin of these rocks, scientists powdered them, isolated hundreds of microscopic zircon crystals, and analyzed their chemical and chronological composition.
"Zircons act as time capsules, storing information about their chemical composition and the moment they crystallized," explained Dr. Christopher Spencer, lead author of the study and associate professor of tectonochemistry at Queen’s University.
The analysis revealed that the rocks originated from Greenland and were transported to Iceland via icebergs during the LALIA period.
The findings highlight two key points, according to Gernon: first, that the Greenland ice sheet experienced significant fluctuations during that time, and second, that the climate was cold enough for glaciers to extend as far as Iceland, affecting its geology.
Although the fall of the Byzantine Empire occurred many centuries later, the overall data supports the view that LALIA was a decisive factor in its long-term decline.
“To be clear,” Gernon stresses, “the Byzantine Empire was already in decline when LALIA began. However, our data show that climate change was more intense than previously thought and likely acted as a key driver of social change, rather than just one of many contributing factors.”
