Exarchate of Ravenna
Quick Summary
The Exarchate of Ravenna was an ancient province in Italy, serving as the administrative center of the Byzantine Empire in Italy from the 6th to 8th centuries CE. Ravenna itself was historically significant, first as the capital of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century, and later for the Ostrogothic and Byzantine rulers of Italy.1
The exarchate's territory fluctuated but generally extended from north of Ravenna to south of Rome, encompassing parts of the Italian peninsula and coastal areas. This period saw significant artistic and architectural achievements, blending Roman forms with Byzantine mosaics. The exarchate eventually fragmented due to revolts and invasions, with Ravenna falling to the Lombards around 751 CE.1
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
ItalyLombards and ByzantinesIts political center was Ravenna, which was ruled by a military leader appointed from Constantinople and called exarch from about 590. Exarchs were changed quite frequently, probably because military figures far from the center of the empire who developed a local following might revolt (as happened in 619 and…
Read MoreIts political center was Ravenna, which was ruled by a military leader appointed from Constantinople and called exarch from about 590. Exarchs were changed quite frequently, probably because military figures far from the center of the empire who developed a local following might revolt (as happened in 619 and…
Read More
VeniceOrigin of the city… civilization, became part of the exarchate of Ravenna when it was created in 584. When the mainland Byzantine city of Oderzo fell to the Lombards in 641, political authority was shifted to one of the islands in the Venetian lagoon.
Read More… civilization, became part of the exarchate of Ravenna when it was created in 584. When the mainland Byzantine city of Oderzo fell to the Lombards in 641, political authority was shifted to one of the islands in the Venetian lagoon.
Read More