<P> The Eastern Roman economy suffered less from the Barbarian raids that plagued the Western Roman Empire . Under Diocletian's reign, the Eastern Roman Empire's annual revenue was at 9,400,000 solidi, out of a total of 18,000,000 solidi for the entire Roman Empire . These estimates can be compared to the AD 150 annual revenue of 14,500,000 solidi and the AD 215 of 22,000,000 solidi . By the end of Marcian's reign, the annual revenue for the Eastern empire was 7,800,000 solidi, thus allowing him to amass about 100,000 pounds of gold or 7,200,000 solidi for the imperial treasury . Warren Treadgold estimates that during the period from Diocletian to Marcian, the Eastern Empire's population and agriculture declined a bit, but not much . Actually, the few preserved figures show that the largest eastern cities grew somewhat between the 3rd and 5th centuries . By Marcian's reign the Eastern Empire's difficulties seem to have been easing, and the population had probably begun growing for the first time in centuries . </P> <P> The wealth of Constantinople can be seen by how Justin I used 3,700 pounds of gold just for celebrating his own consulship . By the end of his reign, Anastasius I had managed to collect for the treasury an amount of 23,000,000 solidi or 320,000 pounds of gold . At the start of Justinian I's reign, the Emperor had inherited a surplus 28,800,000 from Anastasius I and Justin I. Before Justinian I's reconquests the state had an annual revenue of 5,000,000 solidi, which further increased after his reconquests in 550 . Nevertheless, Justinian I had little money left towards the end of his reign partly because of the Justinian Plague, and the Roman--Persian Wars (Justinian spent large amounts of money in annual subsidies to the Sassanian Empire), which both harmed the economy . In addition to these expenses, the rebuilding of Hagia Sophia cost 20,000 pounds of gold . Subsidies to enemy states were also paid by Justinian's successors: Justin II was forced to pay 80,000 silver coins to the Avars for peace; his wife Sophia paid 45,000 solidi to Khosrau I in return for a year's truce, and then Tiberius II Constantine gave away 7,200 pounds of gold each year for four years . Since Emperor Heraclius changed the empire's official language from Latin to Greek in around 620, the solidus (plural: solidi) would thereafter be known by its Greek name, the nomisma (plural: nomismata). </P> <P> The Byzantine - Arab Wars reduced the territory of the Empire to a third in the 7th century and the economy slumped; in 780 the Byzantine Empire's revenues were reduced to only 1,800,000 nomismata . From the 8th century onward the Empire's economy improved dramatically . This was a blessing for Byzantium in more than one way; the economy, the administration of gold coinage and the farming of the Anatolian peninsula served to meet the military's constant demands . Since Byzantium was in a constant state of warfare with her neighbours (even if only by raiding) the military required weapons to be manufactured by the bigger cities (such as Thessaloniki) whilst the smaller towns were subject to grain, wine and even biscuit requisitions by Imperial officers . Even though the soldiers' pay was minimal, large armies were a considerable strain on Byzantium . As gold coins were spent on soldiers to serve in the army, these would in time spend their money acquiring their own goods and much revenue would return to the state in the form of taxation . As a result, the Byzantine economy was self - sufficient, allowing it to thrive in the Dark Ages . The success of the Byzantine army was in no small part due to the success of her economy . </P> <P> Around 775, the land and head taxes yielded an estimated 1,600,000 nomismata annually for the empire . Commerce during this period slumped, therefore only contributing 200,000 nomismata annually . The expenditures of the period were quite large when compared to the annual revenues . Approximately 600,000 nomismata went to the payroll of the army annually while other military costs took another 600,000 nomismata annually . Supporting the Byzantine bureaucracy needed 400,000 nomismata . Also, imperial largess cost the treasury 100,000 nomismata every year . All of these expenses meant that the Byzantine government had only about 100,000 nomismata in surplus revenue each year for treaties, bribes, or gifts . </P>

Which of the following best describes the byzantine economy