Answer: Artifacts and writings can provide important insights into the social class structure of a society, including the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantine Empire was a complex society that had a hierarchical social structure, with different classes of people occupying different positions in society.
Artifacts, such as art, architecture, and objects of everyday life, can reveal the social class structure of the Byzantine Empire. For example, the grandeur of the imperial palace, the opulence of the churches, and the elaborate clothing and jewelry worn by the aristocracy, all reveal the wealth and status of the upper classes. Conversely, the simplicity of peasant dwellings and the lack of ornamentation in their clothing and tools suggest their lower social status.
Writings can also reveal the social class structure of a society, as they often reflect the perspectives, experiences, and values of different classes of people. In the Byzantine Empire, literary works such as poetry, religious texts, and histories, often reflected the perspectives of the educated elite, who were mainly drawn from the aristocratic class. These writings often portrayed the values and beliefs of the upper classes, which emphasized education, refinement, and religious devotion.