This chapter explores the role of metalwork in Late Antiquity, with particular focus on the production, distribution and significance of gold, silver, copper, iron, lead and tin artefacts. It examines metal extraction processes, manufacturing techniques and the various ways in which metal objects were used in both secular and religious contexts. Drawing on archaeological evidence, chemical analysis and written sources, the chapter highlights how the study of metalwork provides valuable insights into the economic structures and political landscape of the late antique period. Rather than reflecting decline, late antique metalwork demonstrates adaptation to new demands. Gold and silver, used for coinage, jewellery and ceremonial objects, continued to be produced in both state-run and private workshops, with Constantinople, Antioch and Alexandria emerging as key centres. Silver plate played an essential role in imperial gift-giving and church donations, while stamped silver objects indicate a sophisticated state-controlled production system. The chapter also examines the continued production of copper alloys and iron, which were essential for military equipment, everyday utensils and monumental architecture, as well as lead and tin, which were widely used in construction, plumbing and pilgrimage objects.

This chapter explores the history and archaeology of Antioch in Late Antiquity, analysing the city’s evolution from its Seleucid foundation to its prominence as a Roman, Byzantine and early Islamic centre. A key argument is that Antioch’s transformation was a story not of decline but of adaptation, shaped by political shifts, natural disasters and evolving architectural traditions. This study highlights the challenges faced by early excavations, particularly the Princeton University-led campaign in the 1930s, which struggled with sedimentation, modern urban encroachment and a focus on decorative mosaics rather than structural remains. Despite these setbacks, that project yielded significant insights into Antioch’s topography, including the layout of its colonnaded streets, fora and fortifications. The chapter also examines the role of imperial patronage in reshaping the city, with figures like Constantine, Theodosius and Justinian commissioning extensive rebuilding efforts, including churches, palaces and defensive walls. While earthquakes, Persian invasions and environmental challenges altered the urban fabric, Antioch retained its status as a major intellectual, religious and economic hub well into the early Islamic period.

This chapter discusses the role of law in the representational program of the emperor Augustus. First I consider a poem by Horace, in which Horace argues with the jurist Trebatius Testa about his potential liability for defamation, before claiming that the new emperor will protect him from legal judgments. I suggest that Horace casts Augustan order as superseding legal rules, but that he offers a language for imagining imperial judgment as better, or fairer, than law. I next discuss a coin that commemorates Augustus restoring leges et iura to the Roman people, and argue that this coin should be read in connection with an edict recorded in Cassius Dio that voided all illegal actions taken during the triumviral period. I then discuss the story of Vedius Pollio, an enslaver whose plan to feed a slave to lampreys was foiled by Augustus, and show how this story can be read as a justificatory folktale for imperial control over enslavement practice and for expanding imperial jurisidiction more broadly. I finally discuss the interplay between Augustus’ marriage legislation, with its extreme penalties for adultery, and his own punishment of his adulterous daughter Julia.

This chapter examines the diverse groups of Eastern Europe in Late Antiquity, emphasising their interactions with Rome and Byzantium rather than viewing them as isolated. It focuses on groups such as the Goths, Huns, Gepids, Bulgars and Avars, analysing their political structures, military tactics and economies. Using archaeological evidence – settlements, burials and trade artefacts – alongside historical sources like Jordanes, Procopius and Ammianus Marcellinus, the chapter explores Gothic migration through the Wielbark and Černjachov cultures and the role of the Huns in reshaping power dynamics. Roman influence is evident in diplomacy, material culture and religion, particularly through Ulfila’s missionary work among the Goths. Rather than framing ‘barbarian invasions’ as simple military conquests, the study highlights complex cultural exchanges and the gradual integration of these societies into the post-Roman world. It argues that Eastern European groups were active agents in shaping medieval Europe rather than mere recipients of Roman influence. Migration, identity and power are shown to be fluid, challenging traditional narratives.

This chapter explores the transformation of epigraphy in Late Antiquity, examining how inscriptions evolved in form, function and visibility between the third and seventh centuries. It discusses a wide range of inscriptional materials, including monumental inscriptions, funerary epitaphs, dedicatory plaques and graffiti, emphasising how changes in literacy, religious practices and political structures influenced their production and use. A key argument is that inscriptions in Late Antiquity shifted from primarily verbal communication to a more visual, symbolic and performative role. This transition is particularly evident in the increasing prominence of monograms, Christograms and abbreviated script, which prioritised recognisability over readability. The study also highlights the growing integration of religious elements in epigraphic practice, showing how Christian inscriptions, often featuring biblical quotations or crosses, became dominant in both private and public spaces. Additionally, the chapter explores regional variations in epigraphic density, noting that while inscriptions declined in some western provinces, they remained widely used in the Eastern Mediterranean. The digitisation of inscriptions has greatly expanded access to this material. The chapter concludes that epigraphy in Late Antiquity reflected broader cultural transformations, evolving from an elite-driven practice to a medium deeply connected to religious identity and social cohesion.