Interpreting the transformation of late roman villas: the case of Hispania

This paper examines the characteristics, evolution and decline of the late antique domus in Spanish towns. It discusses how, during the 4th c. AD, urban town houses built in the the 1st and 2nd c. AD, were rebuilt with monumental architecltural forms and redecorated with luxory decorations. At the same time other rural villas experienced significant changes in their organisation and lost their residential character, being re-used for agricoltural or funerary purposes. Otherwise they were re-built using poorer materials or subdivided, especially in the 5th and 6th c. AD.