Abstract:

The article is about the evolution of the Roman villa in the late Roman period in Catalonia, based on archaeology, the study of the rural population and ancient sources. From the 4th century onwards, the number of villas decreased considerably, although the existing ones became important centres of power, which assumed fiscal, legal and religious functions, and developed luxurious residences. However, the economic system became very different from that of the High Empire. In the 5th century, many of these wealthy villas were ruralized and few survived in the 6th century, when large landowners ceased to live in the countryside. The dichotomy between urban centre and territory puts an end to the concept of the city of antiquity. However, the structures that the cities had imprinted on the landscape remained throughout the Visigothic period.