Aristocracies in early medieval Italy, ca. 500-1000 CE
Edward M. Schoolman
Abstract In the 500 years after political collapse of Western Roman Empire in fifth century CE, various new groups entered Italy, recasting ranks wealthiest and most powerful individuals local elites. social hierarchy late century, Ostrogothic elite would exist parallel with aristocracy, while later arrivals—Lombards, Byzantines, Franks, among others—would form entirely aristocracies, bound primarily by landownership management, leaving behind administrative apparatus Empire. Consequently, Italian especially at their highest levels, tended to reflect conditions systems through tenth when changing pressures caused many family take on qualities hereditary nobility. This article traces developments composition, contemporary definitions dominant groups.
History Compass