North-eastern Italy in the early Carolingian period

The study reveals how the Carolingian dynasty strategically integrated northeastern Italy, particularly the duchy of Friuli, into their empire during the late 8th and early 9th centuries. By leveraging Frankish administrative structures and a loyal northern elite, they consolidated power while maintaining existing Lombard military fortifications. The research highlights the pivotal role of churches in Aquileia and Grado as tools for political control, extending influence over Istria and Dalmatia. Archaeological evidence, including restored castra, church burials, and funerary inscriptions, demonstrates the emergence of a new landowning elite and the continuity of late Roman military infrastructure under Carolingian rule. This interdisciplinary approach combines archaeology and art history to illustrate the social and political transformations that solidified Carolingian dominance in the region.

Marano, Y. A. (2026). North-eastern Italy in the early Carolingian period. The Carolingian South. https://doi.org/10.7765/9781526176295.00013