Conjuntos palatinos de Rávena

New archaeological investigations show an impressive development of Ravenna from its transformation into the imperial headquarters until the early Middle Ages. The growth of the city is observed within its new defensive circuit, with the construction of the main centres of civil and ecclesiastical power, as well as with the explosion of both Orthodox and Aryan religious buildings. Many evidences prove also the growth of its territory and of the entire region, from Comacchio valleys to the outskirts of the Mid Adriatic region, where the investments of the aristocracies linked to the imperial, then royal and exarchal court were concentrated, and finally those related to the archbishop and the new Franks and Saxons elites. Over time, the forms of manifestation of the power of these families are transformed considerably both within the city and in its territory. Something changes due to the phenomenon of revitalization and strengthening of the villas, manifested during the Ostrogoth kingdom, the centralization in strategic sites for control of the population and agricultural resources, and the birth of the first castles during the reign of Berengario and shortly before the rise of Otto i and his visit to Ravenna in 967. In this contribution, we will try to show what are the distinguishing marks of the early medieval elites in the Romagna territory from the fifth to the tenth century, with material sources both provided by surface research and excavations conducted in urban residences, villas of ancient tradition and in other rural contexts