This fourth volume in a series devoted to medieval topography looks at issues of urbanism in a number of Byzantine cities along the eastern frontier during the reign of Justinian (AD 527-565). Archaological and documentary evidence are cited for ten cities, including Palmyra, Antioch, Amida and Hierapolis, with details on their location, history, date, their walls, gateways and other structures. The book also includes lots of plans and photographs of any standing remains. An overview of the urban transformation of Syrian and Mesopotamian cities as a whole during the 6th century, is given at the end. Italian text.