Ravenna from imperial residence to episcopal city: processes of centrality across empires
Salvatore Cosentino
From Late Antiquity to the early Middle Ages, two basic factor shaped Ravenna’s ability influence a much more extensive space than its natural hinterland. The first was establishment as an imperial residence second location within northern Adriatic basin, which had since been crossroads for peoples, trade and cultures. Just on basis of support it received from power, episcopate elevated one most important sees Italy. By means large international harbour Classe, 5th 7th centuries city imported products around entire Mediterranean. With arrival Byzantine government, ties between port Classe other Mediterranean export centres shifted by moving West East. Moreover, relationship with Constantinople reaffirmed political ecclesiastical importance Ravenna. As long these remained strong, Ravenna retained vital contact maritime centres. twilight rule did not cause decline city, but rather progressive turn ruling class toward scenario medieval West. virtue being management centre patrimonium beati Apollinaris, wealthy influential well beyond 9th century. This due both economic power archbishops their alliance Ottonians then later Salian Swabian emperors. trajectories centrality Ages were, therefore, deeply influenced dynamic successive empires, which, in form or another, were all connected attempted reconnect memory Roman past. Recommended citation: Cosentino, Salvatore, episcopal city: processes across in: Rechtsgeschichte - Legal History Rg 23 (2015) 54-67, online: http://dx.doi.org/10.12946/rg23/054-067
Rechtsgeschichte|Dialnet (Universidad de la Rioja)