La frontiera bizantina in Sicilia: il caso di Monte Casasia (Ragusa)

Abstract

This paper offers an analysis of the archaeological context of Monte Casasia in the historical framework
of the byzantine frontier in Sicily. After an historiographical introduction and a topographical overview, a set of data
derived from archaeological literature and in situ surveys are discussed. Eventually the article describes the western
Hyblaean region on the eve of the Muslim landing of 827, seeking to reconstruct settlement hierarchies and routes
networks and trying to highlight, whenever possible, a few cultural and political aspects of a frontier society.

Keywords: Monte Casasia; Hyblaean Mountains; Byzantine Sicily; Byzantine frontiers; Arab-Byzantine wars.