STUDYING LONG-TERM CHANGE IN THE WEST, A.D. 400-800
Chris Wickham
Since the 1930s, three principal models (continuity, 5th c. catastrophe and Pirenne thesis) have been used to interpret socio-economic change in Late Roman Early Medieval West. With minor modifications, these survived with little sustained attempt replace them. Using examples of Tunisia, Italy northern Gaul, this paper argues that four basic parameters can be identified for period AD 400- 800. These are occurrence war, level survival state economic infrastructures, extent large-scale land-ownership, structural integration into world system. which factors affect a given region varies, it is concluded long-term dependent on structures operate at regional sub-regional level.
Late Antique Archaeology