In the Seventh Century, the Byzantines Experienced an Economic Transformation

In the seventh century, the Byzantines experienced an economic transformation similar to, though less pronounced than, that of western Europe. This transformation was caused by all of the following except

A) the rapid growth of the merchant class.
B) the decline of some cities in wealth and population.
C) the replacement of a money economy with barter.
D) the disappearance of t he traditional urban elite.
E) rivalry between families and the class-based officeholders.