What can we learn from Byzantium?
2009 November 16
The Byzantine Empire outlasted the one in Rome by about eight centuries, and some scholars believe that example offers a lot of lessons for American statecraft.
How did Constantinople maintain its power for so long? For starters:
Avoid war by every possible means, in all possible circumstances, but always act as if war might start at any time. Train intensively and be ready for battle at all times — but do not be eager to fight. The highest purpose of combat readiness is to reduce the probability of having to fight.
