1. Introduction

The urban organization of the Boeotian cities in the Early Christian period remains unknown. However, individual buildings are studied according to the following classification.

2. Public buildings

2.1. Secular buildings

2.1.1. Baths

Antikyra was not populated again after the mid-7^th century, therefore the Εarly Christian settlement remains very well preserved. One of the best surviving baths in Boeotia has been found there: excavations have revealed two of its three semi-circular niches, the area of the hypocaust with some of the small pillars that supported the floor, as well as the arch were the fire was placed. Vents were placed along the walls for the circulation of hot air.

Thebes, however, has been continually inhabited until today, which has resulted in only a partial view of the early Christian settlement. Four buildings can be identified as baths, but none survives in good condition. One of them had a mosaic floor, depicting a Muse bust in the middle, dating to the second quarter of the 6^th century. Another building had excellent walls, decorated with marble slabs and a marble floor, now severely worn. The function of these buildings in the 5^th and 6^th centuries is certified by the coin evidence.

Recently, a bath complex with mosaic floors has been found in Livadia, dating to the 5^th century. Its circular basin was covered with marble.

2.1.2. Fortifications

The eastern border of Early Christian Livadia was defined by fortification walls dating to the 4^th century BC, which does not survive today. In the fountain of Krya, however, survives the Tower of the Kastro, which was probably first built during the reign of Justinian. The fortifications surrounding the city of Thespies date to ca. 400 AD. Unfortunately, they were completely destroyed between 1888 and 1891 in order to collect ancient material.

In Plataies, the ancient fortifications also protected the Early Byzantine settlement. During the reign of Justinian, in the 6^th century AD, the damaged parts were reconstructed; today it remains one of the best preserved fortification sites in Boeotia.

2.1.3. Port facilities

The remains of port facilities in Anthedon have recently been dated to the reign of Emperor Justinian.

2.2. Religious buildings

2.2.1. Basilicas and surrounding buildings

The most characteristic feature of Christian art and architecture during the 4^th - 6^th centuries are the early Christian basilicas, some of which were built on the sites of old pagan sanctuaries. At Chaeronea, for example, a large basilica, approximately 35 m long and 14 m wide, was built on the site and with material from the ancient temple of Heracles. Of similar size is the church built on the site of Potza, southwest of ancient Koroneia, on the location of the sanctuary of Heracles Charops.

The foundations of an early Christian basilica, 40 m in length and 20 m in width, were unearthed in 1890 at the highest point of ancient Tanagra, where remains of an ancient temple can be detected. In Anthedon, in 1889, a large three-aisled basilica with a mosaic floor was also found in the location of the Kavireio or temple of Demetra; nowadays it remains lost. Also lost is the basilica that existed in Platanaki, on the route from Thebes to the port of Anthedon, since in 1967 a new church was built in its place.

In Thebes, despite the large number of Early Christian sites identified to date, only two can be attributed to basilicas. One contains the famous mosaic floor, depicting the months of the year and hunting scenes of the early 6^th century. Although the sanctuary apse has not been found, the mosaic inscription refers to the priest Paul, which facilitates, according to some scholars, the identification of the church. The only Early Christian apse was excavated in the northeastern part of the church of St Luke, but the rest of the basilica has long been destroyed.

Excellent basilicas have been revealed in Ambrossos (modern Distomo), one three-aisled one with a 5^th-century mosaic floor, and in Antikyra (a large five-aisled one with a 6^th-century mosaic floor, which is the only one still surviving in situ in all Boeotia).

Part of the basilica in the town of Steirida, east of the hill of the ancient city, was discovered under and around the modern chapel of St George, in the location of Lakka. Its mosaic floor is only partially preserved; however, it is possible to date it to the mid-5^th century.

In the religious buildings also belongs the episcopal palace, excavated just a few meters from the basilica of Antikyra, while part of a building in Livadia, decorated with a mosaic floor, was identified as a baptistery.

3. Private buildings

3.1. Residences

Many buildings that came to light during the excavations at Antikyra were identified as residences based on the archaeological evidence. Most significant is a large, well-built building, with spacious rooms around a central courtyard. Houses were also found in Thebes, but their layout is only partially known. The large number of the uncovered mosaic floors suggests that some of them belonged to manors; however, it is not possible to identify them. As a manor/villa can be described a building later incorporated into the Middle Byzantine church of St George in Xeronomi. It is a long building, built with great care, ending in a large semi-circular apse to the West.

Many houses were identified in the location of Diporto on the island of Makronisos, in the gulf of Dombraina. Signs of habitation there date from the 4^th to the 7^th century.

Several farmhouses of the Late Roman period, found in the area of Akraiphnio, appear to have been inhabited until the 7^th century. Rural facilities have also been found in ancient Eutresis, on the ancient road from Plataies to Thebes.

3.2. Workshops

A very recent find is an agricultural and crafting workshop for the production of wine or oil, found at Ambrossos (modern Distomo).