Summary Attica, the region which surrounds Athens (Greece) is a key area for understanding the transformation of the ancient Roman world to its Medieval successor in the eastern Mediterranean. Located at a crossroads for land and maritime communications, being well populated, carrying a thorough administrative organization and a heavy cultural and religious tradition, the region participated in the broader historic evolutions from the 4th to the 12th centuries. Moreover, Attica stands out in contemporary historic and archaeological research due to its very intensive field research, starting in the 19th century and culminating since the 1960s, through rescue excavation and systematic studies. The outcome of this multi-faceted research on field and monuments which concerns the 4th to 12th centuries forms the backbone of the present volume. Stepping beyond this compilation, however, this study proceeds into being a synthesis of evidence on settlement patterns, road communications, defensive works, religious activities and burial habits. These topics are underpinned by aspects which belong to the longue durée, geography and the natural environment, which are considered as crucial to the understanding of the Byzantine history. In short, the present book covers as many aspects of the studied area as possible, aiming to show the potential of regional studies for the history and archaeology of Late Antiquity and Byzantium. TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface Foreword & Acknowledgements Introduction Part I: Byzantine Attica: the geography, the history and earlier studies Chapter I - Attica: a landscape surrounded by the sea General geography of Attica Natural environment and resources Chapter II - Attica in Byzantine history 'Attica' as a region in Byzantine sources The history and administrative status of Byzantine Attica Historical sources on Byzantine Attica Chapter III - Byzantine Attica: earlier research Archaeological excavations of Early and Middle Byzantine Attica Studies on Byzantine churches in Attica Field surveys and Byzantine finds Research on the topography of Byzantine Attica Toponyms in Byzantine Attica Chapter IV - Land routes and maritime communication in Byzantine Attica Introduction The evidence of the 'Tabula Peutingeriana' Land routes: topographic and archaeological evidence Byzantine Megarid: a forgotten hub of interregional communications Ports and anchorages in Byzantine Attica Part II: Byzantine Attica: the archaeology of human activity Chapter V - Attica in the Late Roman & Early Byzantine period (4th to mid-7th c.) Settlements in all shapes and sizes Economy Defensive structures in all shapes and sizes Religious buildings Chapter VI - Attica in the 'Transitional period', mid-7th to 9th centuries The 'Transional Period' ('Dark Ages'): state of research The problem of the textual sources Attica and the 'Slavic question' Settlements in the Transitional Period A note on the evidence Chapter VII - Attica in the middle byzantine period, 10th to 12th centuries Settlements in all shapes and sizes Burial spaces Settlement economy Landed properties of the Metropolis of Athens in Attica The emergence and flourishing of monasteries The monastic economy Chapter VIII - Discussion and concluding remarks Attica in Byzantine times: an overview Attica: fragmented regions, different geographies? Byzantine Attica in perspective Part III: Byzantine Attica: an inventory of sites Chapter IX - Early and Middle Byzantine sites in Attica, 4th-12th c. Appendix From the ancient Attic ' demoi' to the Late Roman 'choria' A list of Attic ' demoi' relevant to this book Churches and monasteries in Attica List of colour maps List of figures & colour plates Notes Bibliography Index Colour plates