GAETA: NEW REGIMES

The tenth century was one of remarkable continuity and stability in the political affairs of Gaeta. The same ruling family was in power, and the same group of noble families prominent, throughout the century. However, the Docibilans seem to have been experiencing problems maintaining their position by the end of the century, leading to squabbles within the clan over what public land remained in its hands. More significantly, the participants in these disputes identified themselves and their cause with smaller areas of jurisdiction, such as the duchy of Fondi and the county of Traetto. The eleventh century saw a series of regime changes at Gaeta itself, in which much of the old pattern of power and patronage was swept away. This section seeks to illuminate that process from a number of different viewpoints. First, I shall outline the sequence of regime changes in order to provide a framework and background against which to discuss some issues in more detail. Secondly, I shall re-examine the process of the fragmentation of the duchy itself, looking at external pressures and internal developments. The history of Gaeta in this period will then be set against those of her neighbours, to see whether a ‘Tyrrhenian’ pattern can be established.