The End and Afterlife of Roman Villas in Sicily During the Late Antique, Byzantine, and Islamic Periods

Roman villas in Sicily are a palimpsest that provide a valuable lens through which to examine the evolving dynamics of settlements, spanning from the decline of opulent residences belonging to late Roman elites to the development of Islamic-era communities and beyond. In light of advancements in postclassical archaeological research in Sicily over recent decades, this article seeks to raise pertinent questions regarding the transformations that these villas experienced between the fifth and twelfth centuries. Over this extensive period, the villas underwent significant metamorphoses and endured substantial destruction due to various earthquakes that struck the island during Late Antiquity. In the Byzantine period, post-villa complexes remained central in the management of rural areas, but within a different socioeconomic context. Furthermore, with the advent of the Islamic conquest, new settlement realities emerged, sometimes in connection with the presence of an Islamized population.