Why Monarchy Endures. Answers from the Ancient Mediterranean World.

Australians are living in a time of unprecedented global political instability. A chief concern is the rise of autocrats who seek to rule their countries alone. Although Australia is a constitutional monarchy, our democratic institutions operate largely independently, with the monarch adopting a mostly ceremonial role. This has not always been the case throughout history. As an increasing number of present-day global leaders seek autocratic rule, as monarchs in the past once did, there is the potential for significant negative impacts on democracies worldwide, including Australia. Using ancient historical texts to examine the challenges presented by monarchies to the world's first democracies, this project will reveal what factors lead to the emergence of would-be monarchs and the destabilisation of democratic governments. Through podcasts, Q&A panels, opinion pieces, and an online exhib