Rome, Ravenna, and Venice, 750-1000
Veronica West-Harling
The richest and most politically complex regions in Italy the earliest Middle Ages were Byzantine sections of peninsula, thanks to their links with coherent early medieval state, Empire. This comparative study histories Rome, Ravenna, Venice arises from unifying element: common past, since all three escaped being incorporated into Lombard kingdom late seventh eighth centuries. By 750, however, political Empire irrevocably severed, except case Venice. Thus, after ninth tenth centuries, did these cities remain socially culturally heirs Byzantium structures, social organization, material culture, ideological frame reference, representation identity? Did they become part Western framework Italy: Frankish Carolingian ninth, German Ottonian tenth, centuries? book attempts identify analyse ways which each preserved continuity structures antique cultural world; or adapted every element available own needs, at various times, ways. It does so through a story encompasses main contemporary narratives, documentary evidence, recent archaeological discoveries, discussions on art history, it follows markers status identity titles, names, ethnic groups, liturgy ritual, foundation myths, representations, symbols, topographies power
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