This volume investigates the evolution of political and social ideology within the Byzantine Empire by examining primary source documents spanning from the reign of Justinian I to the fall of the Palaeologan dynasty. Ernest Barker, a noted scholar of political theory, curates and translates a selection of texts to illustrate how Byzantine thinkers conceptualized the state, the role of the Emperor, and the relationship between church and secular authority. By providing these translations alongside critical notes, the author constructs a framework for understanding the intellectual continuity and shifts in Byzantine governance over nearly a millennium.

Scholars and historians frequently cite this work as a foundational resource for accessing Byzantine political thought in English. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a rigorous reference for students of medieval history and political theory.