The theme system was a military and administrative system under which land was granted to peasants in return for their military service. This helped to strengthen the Byzantine military and provided a means for the lower classes to gain land and social status.

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The Theme System

Question 39

Multiple Choice

The theme system

A) weakened the peasantry by taking their land away.
B) made land available to the peasants in return for military service.
C) led to the break between the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches.
D) limited the religious authority of the Byzantine emperors.
E) was the foundation of the Byzantine educational structure.

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