Indeed, it has been argued that Byzantium in the 12th century was richer and more prosperous than at any time since the Persian invasion during the reign of Herakleios, some five hundred years earlier.
Det er godt nok blev hævdet at Byzans i det 12. århundrede var rigere og mere velstående end på noget tidspunkt siden den persiske invasion mens Herakleios regerede, omkring 500 år tidligere.