Trasformazioni urbane nell’altomedieovo siciliano. Uno status quaestionis

L. Arcifa, Trasformazioni urbane nell’altomedioevo siciliano. Uno status quaestionis Abstract The paper considers the evolution of the urban network in the Sicilian Byzantine period between the sixth and early ninth century, before the Islamic conquest. From a chronological point of view analysis of the data shows a strong line break from the eighth century in connection with the new thematic organization of the island in which the city-especially those of eastern area- show to have a leading role in defense of the capital, Siracuse. In this second period is more evident also a wide spread between the two parts of the island: the urban centers closer to Syracuse show a subsistence of urban life closely related to the defense of the capital of the island; in contrast, the city placed in the west further accentuate the signs of decline which occurred first in the early Byzantine period