Roman culture did not change dramatically in the sixth century. However, it had wasted tremendous energies in the conflict over Chalcedon, an obsession that proved intelectually sterile, culturally stultifying, and socially divisive. This dispute kept the culture in stasis, as each faction clung fast to its fifth-century coordinates, relitigating the decisions of all the Councils. The Eastern Empire was meanwhile battered by war, decimated by recurrences of the plague, and was unable to generate prior levels of revenue. Still, it had ended the Persian war to its advantage and was pushing the Avars out of the Balkans. A trajectory of recovery could be foreseen in early 602 - until Phokas' coup.

— New Roman Empire by Anthony Kaldellis (Page 508)