Historian Anthony Kaldellis argues that the Byzantine Empire was simply the Roman Empire continuing in the East for another millennium. He explains how its unique political system, a 'monarchic republic' with strong taxation and popular consent, made it remarkably resilient to external shocks until its final collapse.
Summarized by Podsumo
Kaldellis argues that the Byzantine Empire was the direct, unbroken continuation of the Roman Empire, a view he supports by noting its inhabitants considered themselves *Romans* until the very end.
The Eastern Roman Empire functioned as a *monarchic republic*: a monarchy in form but a de facto republic where the emperor's power was constantly checked by the threat of civil war (46% were overthrown) and the need for popular consent in the Hippodrome.
A highly efficient *taxation system* is identified as the empire's true engine, integrating all communities and funding its primary function: a defensive military that almost never used force to suppress its own people.
The empire's resilience is attributed to its ability to survive *exogenous shocks* (like Arab or Seljuk invasions) by regrouping and rebuilding, not from internal decline. The state's ideology and rhetoric genuinely emphasized service to the public, narrowing the gap between words and actions.
The secret weapon *Greek Fire* (a flammable napalm-like substance) was a closely guarded state secret for centuries, decisively used in naval battles to repel attacks on Constantinople.
"It is almost a form of cognitive dissonance, right? It’s like when you know something is the case but you carry on as if it’s not."
— Anthony Kaldellis, on the mislabeling of the East Roman Empire as Byzantine.
"The best way to persuade your subjects that you’re legitimate benevolent kings is to be that."
— Anthony Kaldellis, paraphrasing Aristotle on the importance of aligning rhetoric with action.
"There were no isolated people. The taxation process creates a very dense institutional matrix in which all communities are enmeshed."
— Anthony Kaldellis, on the empire's pervasive integration.