Canada finds itself at a moment of reckoning. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation as recent polls place his governing Liberal Party at its lowest support levels in decades, with voter intent hovering at just 16 per cent.

Trudeau’s approval ratings reflected widespread dissatisfaction with national leadership, raising the prospect of a substantial electoral defeat.

As academics whose combined expertise examines foundations of education in the ancient world and in democracies under crisis — and how governance, leadership and public policy shapes social and educational outcomes — we believe this moment of instability invites us to look backward.

It’s important for society at large, but also students in classrooms, to understand the patterns that shape societies and leadership. We want students to learn from history and to make a path forward that is informed by the past.

Rome, a civilization renowned for its governance and adaptability, also faced moments of profound uncertainty. From the transformation of its republic to the eventual fall of its western Empire, Rome’s history offers insights into the tensions between ambition and resilience, governance and neglect.

These reflections illustrate the stakes of leadership, showing us how an understanding of our past can help shape our future.

Read more: History's crisis detectives: how we're using maths and data to reveal why societies collapse – and clues about the future

As Canada navigates challenges ranging from economic pressures to social fragmentation and political mistrust, the lessons of Rome’s rise and fall offer powerful lessons.

Leadership that understands its moment — grounded in history but attentive to the present — has the capacity to transform adversity into renewal. In examining these historical parallels, leaders can hold a mirror to their challenges and consider how to move forward with courage and purpose.

Rome’s early successes rested on its ability to ground governance in historical consciousness.

Augustus, the first Roman emperor, deliberately revived traditional Roman virtues. By linking his rule to Rome’s storied........

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