Leo΄s VI "Novel" concerning the limitation of the principle of protimesis (preemption) was the first in a series of "Novels" favouring smallholders. Leo's VI successors tried to protect the smallholders from the expansive aspirations of the dynatoi (powerful landowners). Romanos I Lekapenos first issued a "Novel" in April of 922 blocking the expansion of the dynatoi in the rural communities. Nevertheless the abuses of the latter class continued especially during the harsh winter of 927-8. For this reason Romanos I issued a similar "Novel" in 934 (according to other sources in 928 or 935). Despite the strong language used by the emperor, the measures were not applied with corresponding severity. So another "Novel" was issued by Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos, legislating in favour of the smallholders (No 947), who also issued a "Novel" between 945 and 959 in favour of military estates. In the same spirit, his son Romanos II also acted with two of his own "Novels".
However, with the ascension of Nikephoros II, the scion of an aristocratic family, to the imperial throne, the dynatoi found an ally. The "Novel" he issued in 967 reinforced their position, thereby allowing their penetration into the villages of the adynatoi (weak) class or at least the preservation of the large estates there. The efforts to protect of the smallholders was resumed anew by Basil II with his renowned "Novel", "Peri ton dynaton ton apo peneton epiktomenon"(996) (Concerning the powerful landowners, obtaining from the poor). His successors, however did not follow the same course. They were extremely submissive to the pressures brought to bear by the dynatoi. The laws, of course, that protected the smallholders were not officially abolished; however by means of several dispositions, they started gradually losing their force and along with them the same fate befell the small rural communities.