From Theodosius to Constans II : church, settlement and economy in late Roman and Byzantine Sicily (AD 378-668)
This thesis explores the archaeology of late antique Sicily from the time of Theodosius I (347â95) to the reign of Constans II (630â68). Analysing published data from urban and rural contexts I aim to define three research subjects that are: 1 â The potential different phases of Sicilian Late Antiquity; 2 â The part played by the Church and the impact of Christianity in this transitional period, and, finally, 3 â The definition of a regional economic pattern. During the centuries here investigated, Sicily went through three main phases named: the fall of the Roman Empire, the Byzantine conquest of the 6th century and the process of Byzantinization of the Sicilian society and culture. The Church played a key role in all these three phases initially negotiating with local elite and cultural background its presence within the urban walls. But after the Byzantine conquest and until the Arab occupation of Sicily, the Church imposed its authority through the building of churches, monasteries and chapels transforming the urban and rural landscape. After the Vandal invasion of North Africa, Sicily became the only food supply for Italy and this deeply impacted the provincial economy increasing production
Sami, Denis
Sicily Late Antiquity Byzantine, Archaeology Christianity Mediterranean
From Theodosius to Constans II : church, settlement and economy in late Roman and Byzantine Sicily (AD 378-668). This thesis explores the archaeology of late antique Sicily from the time of Theodosius I (347â95) to the reign of Constans II (630â68). Analysing published data from urban and rural contexts I aim to define three research subjects that are: 1 â The potential different phases of Sicilian Late Antiquity; 2 â The part played by the Church and the impact of Christianity in this transitional period, and, finally, 3 â The definition of a regional economic pattern. During the centuries here investigated, Sicily went through three main phases named: the fall of the Roman Empire, the Byzantine conquest of the 6th century and the process of Byzantinization of the Sicilian society and culture. The Church played a key role in all these three phases initially negotiating with local elite and cultural background its presence within the urban walls. But after the Byzantine conquest and until the Arab occupation of Sicily, the Church imposed its authority through the building of churches, monasteries and chapels transforming the urban and rural landscape. After the Vandal invasion of North Africa, Sicily became the only food supply for Italy and this deeply impacted the provincial economy increasing production
church settlement economy late_roman byzantine sicily explores archaeology late_antique sicily time reign analysing publish_data urban_rural context aim define subject potential different_phase sicilian late_antiquity part_play church impact christianity transitional_period finally definition regional economic pattern century investigate sicily three_main phase name fall roman_empire byzantine conquest process sicilian society culture church play_key_role three_phase initially negotiate local_elite cultural_background presence within urban wall byzantine conquest arab occupation sicily church impose authority building church monastery transform urban_rural landscape invasion north_africa sicily become food_supply italy deeply impact provincial economy increase_production