The situation as described in historical sources

he description of the situation by Alexios Makrembolites in his work Dialogue between the Rich and the Poor written in 1343 in Constantinople, is characteristic. In it are reflected the widespread ideas of the period concerning the antagonism of the productive class par excellence, in other words the poor, and the rich, who were appropriating for themselves what belonged to all. He also describes the luxurious way of life of the rich.

However, an important characteristic of the social unrest of the late Byzantine period is the insistence of the populace on making a distinction between the Emperor and the powerful citizens, whose financial and political power they disputed. In the Emperor they saw a protector and an ally against the powerful. This is evident in a 14th-century text describing the situation at the time, which is entitled Very Fine Narrative of an Admirable Man called Belissarios. Even though the central authority did not oppose the interests of the powerful, the text in question shows the widespread and intense need of the people for some sort of protection. This is evidenced also by the fact that, during the first civil war (1321-28), Andronikos III promised to abolish taxes in an attempt to win over the people of the cities. The monk Theodoulos, whose secular name was Thomas Magistros, wrote at the time that social antagonism was particularly strong.

The great concern expressed by the intellectuals of that period regarding the social unrest was confirmed by the outbreak of the second civil war (1341-54).