The elite also retreated into their estates, away from the law. This led to perverse insentives where they would withhold fighting men from the state, illegally

The elite also retreated into their estates, away from the law. This led to perverse insentives where they would withhold fighting men from the state, illegally, as the empire desperately needed men to replenish losses. There are many parallels to draw, not all are valid given the 1500 year difference, but... Yeah.