In contrast to other periods for which there are written and archaeological evidence that provide a picture of the historical course of Athens, the period of Late Antiquity between the 3rd and 7th centuries AD is shrouded in darkness. Historians do not even know - and of course they cannot agree among themselves - whether Athens was indeed sacked by the army of Alaric; nor whether the raid of the Heruli in 267 actually destroyed Athens, sealing its future development; equally scarce and scattered are the testimonies of the long-standing conflict between the Nationals and the Christians, and the triumph of Christianity in a city that was inherently ancient and anti-Christian. The Athens of Late Antiquity was primarily a university city, but it maintained not only its cultural primacy but also - indirectly, at least - an important political role, which Constantinople aspired to cancel, determining the fate of the once glorious city.

This book collects and meticulously examines a multitude of rare testimonies and archaeological findings, thus achieving a historical reconstruction that aspires to be the "first volume" of a new Medieval History of Athens.