Crises of Leadership in the Eastern Roman Empire (250-1000 CE)

Armed conflict, the upheaval of social systems, and environmental crises cause citizens to question their leaders during periods of social change. They also increase religious extremism, including speculations about the imminent end of the world, and who will be saved and who will face destruction. This was particularly the case in the period 250-1000 AD, but is equally characteristic of the 21st century. Understanding how the leadership addressed these crises in the past will provide models of what works (and what does not work) for contemporary leadership. The benefit of studying past responses to moments of crisis is to shed light on present-day concerns and the reactions they trigger in Australian leaders and those they govern.