Favourite Period of Byzantine History

I have two favorite periods.  They are:

476-640 - The reign of Justinian the Great occured during this time.  He expanded the borders of the empire, built the Hagia Sophia, and other accomplishments.

1071-1185 - The time of the 1st Crusade and the founding of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

I don't like the 1261-1461 time period, because it was a time of defeat.

I agree about the late period being very depressing, there was so much inertia in the face of the threats Byzantium faced, so much vain longing for the past rather than adapting to the present, it's just some dreadful tragedy. Not that it is without its merits, of course. There is nothing on the scale of Plethon's work in earlier centuries and the period retains that fascinating element which continues throughout the whole of Byzantine history. The period redeems itself to a degree with the manner in which Constantinople resisted in 1453.

When I look at the Middle Byzantine period which I like so much I also see some shameful defeats. You need a strong stomoch to read of a near cultural collapse as the Empire transformed into a militant agricultural state early in this period. But reading on you see it is for the best, the Empire was simply adapting to a different world and doggedly fought it out to make a comeback. One can only wonder "what if" at the thought of strong leadership stepping up to take the helm after the death of Basil II. The Middle Byzantine Period built up such a strong foundation for the future strength of the Empire to build on.

 The last chapters of byzantine history I find almost to difficult to read, it seems terribly unfair that the likes of Manuel II a man with immense talent, should rule an empire already doomed.

 Honestly though, Byzantine history is full of such tragedies, Heraclius worked as hard as any Emperor ever had to keep the empire alive, only to live to see it collapse around him. The revival of the Comnemi offered hope of a new golden age, again only to see everything collapse all over again.

 Such is the tragedy and drama of the Byzantine empire, your hopes are risen one moment and dashed an instant later as the empire verges on annihilation all over again.

Constantine XI, I believe that anyone who loves the Byzantine Empire would always wonder what if someone deserving took over from Basil II to put the money Basil had saved in the treasury to good use.  

Given the amount of military defeats the empire faced in the middle period, it is their good fortune they had the system of themes in place.  Though the culture may have nearly collapsed as you say, without the much needed strength that the focus on the military brought, the empire would not have been able to flourish later on during moments of peace.

I agree with Heraclius that the Byzantine Empire was filled with tragedy.  One can hardly blame Heraclius for dying a broken man after seeing all that he had worked for come to naught.  It is also tragic that Manuel II who is indeed talented inherit an empire that was too feeble to defend itself.

But such is life, few empires have endured and reinvented itself the way Byzantium has.

Digenis, have you read the epic Digenis Akritas?  I've been on a look out for it, maybe I shall order it soon one day.