The module undertakes a comparison of key governing traditions and institutions of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires by focusing on key areas such as sovereignty concepts, dynastic succession and the role of the capital city in the two dynastic eras. As part of the investigation of the internal realms of imperial rule, the module also explores the relationship between the centre and outlying eastern provinces in Asia Minor and how problems between heartland and hinterland were resolved in each of the two empires.