‘Strategies for survival’ outlines the effectiveness, pragmatism, and creativity of Byzantine statecraft from the 7th century through to the early 10th century, which saw the empire’s ability to surmount its early medieval crisis and begin to reassert imperial power to both east and west. The imperial authorities had managed to rapidly reorientate themselves in a fast-changing strategic landscape, and alter diplomatic and military priorities accordingly. The adoption of allies to contain or contest military reversals was key, as was the conversion to imperial Christianity of neighbouring peoples. The ‘Macedonian dynasty’ is explained along with the Christian Crusades against Islam, and the Fourth Crusade in 1204 that resulted in the sacking of Constantinople.