Introduction

The general problem addressed by this book can be stated by reformulating the book’s title as a question: How did the sophisticated administrative structure of the Roman Empire, or at least its western half, give way to a series of medieval kingdoms in the period from about a.d. 300 to 600? This problem may be visualized quickly and accurately by looking at Maps 1 and 2. Map 1 presents the Roman Empire in about 300 and shows a dense network of prefectures, dioceses, and provinces. Map 2 presents, in the territories that had been the western half of the empire, a series of barbarian kingdoms. The structural changes revealed by these maps could hardly appear more dramatic or fundamental.