The backbone of seafaring mobility of humans and goods during the historical longue dure of the Mediterranean basin was formed by islands, both large and small. The present volume - resulting from an international workshop held in Cyprus in 2007 - focuses on the multifaceted character of the Mediterranean insular system during Early Byzantine times, ca. 400-700. Through a wide range of regional syntheses and case studies, as well as a multi-disciplinary approach, the volume seeks to explore a complex phenomenon from several different points of view: the Mediterranean longue dure, local developments and evolution, the true nature of insularity and the notion of connectivity.