Ravenna surrounded by waters. Landscape changes and urban transformations in Late Antiquity

The article aims to examine the impact on urban development and infrastructure in the conurbation of Ravenna, Caesarea, and Classe following the establishment of the former provincial city of Ravenna as the sedes imperialis, the seat of the imperial court, in 402 AD. This involves examining factors that affect the current state of urbanization in these cities. The aim of this contribution is to employ socioeconomic approaches to trace the current progress of urban development, archaeological evidence, and ancient sources relating to late ancient settlement and historical maps. Additionally, it aims to establish a guideline for the development of Ravenna. This entails investigating how the city, along with its surrounding suburban area, transformed during the transitional period from Late Antiquity to the early Middle Ages. Furthermore, the study explores the role of the road and waterway network in this evolution.