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Step-by-step explanation:
The article discusses the decline of the Byzantine Empire due to various factors, including the emergence of Italian cities as competitors in the Mediterranean, the Great Schism, and the rise of Byzantine aristocratic families. The Battle of Manzikert in 1071 proved to be a turning point in the empire's history, resulting in the loss of territories to the Seljuk Turks and a shortage of manpower. To address this crisis, the Comnenes dynasty took power, and Emperor Alexius sought help from the pope, which led to the first Crusade. While the Crusaders were able to reconquer some territories for Byzantium, they also kept some areas for themselves.