I think it’s a stretch to say the Eastern Roman Empire lost its ability to project power in the Mediterranean by mid-600s. During the Macedonian Dynasty (867-

I think it’s a stretch to say the Eastern Roman Empire lost its ability to project power in the Mediterranean by mid-600s. During the Macedonian Dynasty (867-1056), they were arguably still the dominant power. Arab-Byzantine Wars lasted for 500 years and involved the entire Mediterranean. The Byzantine Italy existed until 1071. Even after, the Komnenian Restoration (12th century) revived the Empire to some extent in financial, cultural, and territorial form. Sure, they weren’t as powerful as the Roman Empire at its peak, but still could project plenty of power after mid-600s.