"You sound very dissatisfied with the Emperor."
"He's a good emperor for the Empire, that much is true. But for the Empire's citizens and Priests, there could be no one worse.
He has turned this Empire into his private property—half for the Komnenos family, half for the Dukas family. If there was some restraint before the Dukas Emperor, now, it's safe to say there is none whatsoever.
Using debased currency, seizing the property of citizens, confiscating monasteries, enclosing Church lands, destroying the abodes of God, and stealing God's wealth.
He ignores the principles of the Empire, brazenly granting regional tax-collecting rights to his kin. This is unprecedented. Before him, no noble could so openly live off a city's taxes.
He forces everyone to remain silent, especially here in Constantinople. Advising the Emperor is an ancient privilege of the citizens of Constantinople, but now? Now, that privilege is less useful than a cleaning stick in the Imperial Palace latrine.
