Procopius and Dara

• DOI: 10.2307/300078
• Publication Date: 2006-05-07T22:40:51Z
• Authors: Brian Croke; James Crow
• Keywords: Antique; Reign; Value (mathematics); Archaeological Evidence; Late Antiquity

The question of the degree continuity in urban life from antiquity into later times has recently emerged as a preoccupation among scholars late antique and early medieval periods. Considerable attention is currently being devoted to fate classical city traditional patterns life, with special reference features such reduction physical area individual cities, decline population, changes use or decay buildings emergence new social organizations reflected topography development. Attempts refine analyse these issues greater precision have largely stemmed recent upsurge interest Roman archaeology, well demonstrated major excavations those at Sardis, Aphrodisias, Caesarea, Carthage, Ephesus Thessalonika. Yet archaeological evidence can only tell part story. We must still rely great deal on literary evidence, interconnection material subject this article. For all studies cities single most important contemporary text Buildings , De Aedificiis Procopius Caesarea. Where it provides (as often) for particular site we need be able evaluate its contribution critically. So far there been remarkably few detailed discussions value either standpoint. As result, view that reign Justinian witnessed effort secure refortify defences eastern frontier, based information provided by Procopius, holds field, despite availability other sources which could used clarify Procopius' picture.