Why did Athens decline after Emperor Justinian closed its schools of philosophy in 529 CE?

The closure of the philosophical schools in Athens by Emperor Justinian I in 529 CE marked a definitive end to the city's long-standing role as the cultural and intellectual center of the Greek world.1

While Athens had experienced a revival in the 4th and 5th centuries as a stronghold of paganism and a destination for students from across the empire, its status was inextricably linked to these ancient institutions. By ordering the closure of these schools due to their pagan character, Justinian effectively stripped Athens of its primary source of prestige and international influence.123

Following this event, Athens lost its significance as a hub of higher learning and intellectual activity, causing it to decline into a small provincial town. Furthermore, by this time, the political and economic power of the Greek world had already shifted to Constantinople, leaving Athens without the resources or central importance required to maintain its former prominence.1