In the seventh century, Isidore of Seville (Etymologiae, XV, iii) defined habitation [habitatio] as having [habere] a place to live, which could be a ‘casa’ (i.e., a rustic hut), a ‘domus’ (the residence for a single family), an ‘aula’ (the royal residence) or an ‘atrium’ (a large and spacious dwelling).

Recently, knowledge of the ancient habitat during Antiquity has benefited from the multiplication of preventive excavations, from the contribution of programmed excavations, but also from data obtained from pedestrian, aerial and geophysical prospection.

Archeological excavations and aerial revelations show that the larger villae continued to develop until the 5th century, while the smaller ones were abandoned between the 2nd and 3rd centuries.

In letter 32 addressed to Sulpicius Severus, Paulinus of Nola offers his friend several tituli to be inscribed into the religious complex of Primuliacum – “immaterial” inscriptions almost contradictions in their own terms.

Contrary to the current – erroneous – idea of the Middle Ages as a period of illiteracy, writing was an extremely important and valued activity back then.

The presence of inscriptions frequently has the effect of eluding the materiality of the artifact. In many fields of knowledge, writing has thus earned a certain amount of autonomy about its physical support, and it became the focus of the analysis.

The structural weakness of States in the High Middle Ages explains the importance of social ties. This fact also justifies the central place of the notion of reciprocity, the real engine of social relations.

What did “barter” mean in ancient societies? Back at the times when men organized themselves in simple societies, people exchanged things, products, goods, in order to satisfy a vital need

For almost a century, archaeologists and historians have long debated the role of trade in the economies of ancient and medieval societies. Primitivist and modernist views have been at odds over the existence and role of the economy and the market in Antiquity and the Middle Ages.

Food crises are a recurring phenomenon in the history of ancient societies, whether in their catastrophic form, famine, a shortage of food or purchasing power that leads directly to excess mortality from starvation or hunger-induced diseases;

The social food traditions may be roughly divided into two main categories. In one hand, feasting – being any kind of celebratory meal– is generally led to profusion and overabundance.

We are used to see chronic food shortages as a characteristic feature of ancient societies.