Question

Which of the following is an accurate statement about the lower class in Byzantine society?

Workers were paid a set salary.

People often lived in cramped buildings.

Farmers paid rents to the emperor.

Laborers seldom worked on government projects.

Answer 1

“But when the corn-lands had no more grain and all the Romans (Byzantines) had come into an exceedingly evil plight, they surrounded Belisarius and tried to compel him to stake everything on a single battle with the enemy (Goths), promising that not one of the Romans (Byzantines) would be absent from the engagement."
—History of the Wars, Book VI, Article III

According to the passage, why did the Byzantines want Belisarius to stake everything in a single battle against the Goths?

to deceive the enemy

to gain a strategic advantage

to prevent starving to death

to finish the war before winter

Answer 2

The lower class people were poor, but the roman emperor, Justinian provided them with free bread and entertainment.

Answer 3

he answer is likely to prevent starving to death.

This passage refers to an account of the Siege of Rome from 537 - 538 AD. Belisarius, who was in defense of Rome in the name of the Byzantine Empire under Justinian, was in a tough position with a small force and little support, though he did his best to fortify the city, protect its approaches, and fill its granaries after taking control of the city from gothic control.

The Ostrogoths, on the other hand, returned and decided to slowly starve the city into submission by cutting off its aqueducts by walling them up and intercepting supplies. According to this passage, the Romans wanted the Byzantines to take on the Ostrogoths to break the siege. But Belisarius cautiously decided to wait until reinforcements finally arrived.