Towns in transition : urban evolution in late antiquity and the early Middle Ages

This is a close and coherent examination of the evolution and transformation of towns between AD 300 and 900 within the borders of the old Roman Empire.The so-called 'Dark Ages' have often been represented, wrongly, as a period of general decay. In fact, as the archaeological studies reviewed in this book show, many of the towns of the Empire survived and developed, even though the Roman character of the centres was lost or transformed. Urban development in this period is one area in which archaeology can inform and transform historical thinking, supplying as it does a new body of evidence to help fill the void in knowledge caused by the frustrating lack of documentary sources for the period after the fall of the Empire.Among the important questions addressed are: To what extent were urban structures such as roads, walls and drains maintained? What was the role of the Church in preserving and developing the urban fabric? Do patterns of survival reflect the depth of adoption of Roman culture?The studies in this volume are based on new archaeological data and provide a full and convincing reassessment of the old image of urban decay and the impact of incoming Barbarians and Arabs on towns. The broad geographical range of towns studied, and the informed and authoritative interpretations offered in this volume, will be invaluable to scholars seeking to understand this complex, intriguing and misunderstood period of history.ALSO OF INTEREST:Verholst (Variorum)Bachrach (first volume)Michael Thompson: The Medieval Hall: The Basis of Secular Domestic Life, 600-1600Richard Rodger: A Consolidated Bibliography of Urban History This Is A Close And Coherent Examination Of The Evolution And Transformation Of Towns Between Ad 300 And 900 Within Towns The Borders Of The Old Roman Empire. The So-called 'dark Ages' Have Often Been Represented, Wrongly, As A Period Of General Decay. In Fact, As The Archaeological Studies In This Book Show, Many Of The Towns Of The Empire Survived And Developed, Even Though The Roman Character Of The Centres Was Lost Or Altered. Among The Important Questions Addressed Are: To What Extent Were Urban Structures Such As Roads, Walls And Drains Maintained? What Was The Role Of The Church In Preserving And Developing The Urban Fabric? Do Patterns Of Survival Reflect The Depth Of Adoption Of Roman Culture? The Studies In This Volume Are Based On New Archaeological Data And Provide A Full And Convincing Reassessment Of The Old Image Of Urban Decay And The Impact Of Incoming 'barbarians' And Arabs On Towns. The Broad Geographical Range Of Towns Studied, And The Informed And Authoritative Interpretations Offered In This Volume, Will Be Invaluable To Scholars Seeking To Understand This Complex, Intriguing And Misunderstood Period Of History. Urban Continuity? / Bryan Ward-perkins -- Tarraco In Late Antiquity / Simon Keay -- Arles In Late Antiquity : Gallula Roma Arelas And Urbs Genesii / S.t. Loseby -- Towns And Peoples On The Middle Danube In Late Antiquity And The Early Middle Ages / Neil Christie -- Burial And Urbanism At Late Antique And Early Byzantine Corinth (c. Ad 400-700) / Eric A. Ivison -- Byzantine Palestine And Arabia : Urban Prosperity In Late Antiquity / Alan Walmsley -- Urban Transition In North Africa : Roman And Medieval Towns Of The Maghreb / Steve Roskams -- Transitions Of Islam : Urban Rôles In The East And South Mediterranean, Fifth To Tenth Centuries Ad / M.o.h. Carver -- Cities, Emporia And Monasteries : Local Economies In The Po Valley, C Ad 700-875 -- Towns, Societies And Ideas : The Not-so-strange Case Of Late Roman And Early Merovingian Metz / Guy Halsall -- Urban Transition In Early Medieval Britain : The Case Of York / Steve Roskams -- Dream Cities : Emporia And The End Of The Dark Ages / Richard Hodges. Edited By Neil Christie And S.t. Loseby. From Preface: Several Of The Papers Published Here Have Their Origins In Two Seminar Series On 'towns In Late Antiquity And The Early Middle Ages' Held At St. Cross College, Oxford, In The Hilary Terms Of 1992 And 1993. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This comparative study takes a radical look at the survival, evolution and development of towns between AD 300 and AD 1000. The studies in this volume show that Roman towns long outlasted the Empire, and the so-called Dark Ages were a time of significant development in urban character and life.