The main reason that brought about this situation was the absence of strong personalities on the imperial throne. For the greater part of this period, the state was ruled by men who were powerless, incompetent and often dependent on their wives or some eunuch of the palace, whose sole aim was personal gratification. In addition, the intelligentsia had started to suffer from a deep malaise, a fact which assumed great political and social importance as it was these people who handled public affairs. Michael Psellos was a typical example.One of Byzantium's greatest problems in this period was the bitter dispute that broke out between the burocrats and the strategoi (or between Constantinople and the provinces) regarding political power. This dispute proved to be decisive for the succession to the throne as well as for domestic and foreign developments, and damaged the state irreparably.
The conquests of Basil II had undoubtedly created a widespread sense of superiority over the enemies of the state. Hence the Byzantines who were tired of continuous military operations, considered that their borders were still secure. This belief, along with the dispute between the politicians and the military, made them believe that there was no more need for such large military forces and gradually they started to abolish the institution of the peasants-soldiers and to disband troops, replacing them with mercenaries. As a result, the army was neglected and the state became dependent on mercenary troops. The mercenaries had professional experience, moved easily and their actions were irrelevant to the domestic policy of the state. On the other hand, they came at a great cost and were not always trustworthy. Frequently they behaved ruthlessly, plundering and devastating the very regions they were paid to protect. Over and above this, many times they sided with the Turks, especially after the middle of the 11th century.