Cities That Shaped the Ancient World

321 Pages·2017·82.06 MB·English

by  John Julius Norwich

About the Editor
John Julius Norwich is the author of magisterial histories of Norman Sicily,
Venice, Byzantium and the Mediterranean, and has also written on Mount Athos,
the Sahara, English architecture, Shakespeare’s histories and the history of the
Papacy. His memoirs, Trying to Please, were published in 2008. Since 1970 he
has compiled an annual pamphlet anthology, A Christmas Cracker. He has made
some thirty historical documentaries for television. Formerly Chairman of
Colnaghi, the oldest fine art dealers in London, he is Honorary Chairman of the
Venice in Peril Fund and Chairman Emeritus of World Monuments Fund
Britain.
Other titles of interest published by
Thames & Hudson include: The Great Cities in History
(Edited by John Julius Norwich) The City of Akhenaten
and Nefertiti:
Amarna and its People The Complete Pompeii
The Complete Cities of Ancient Egypt
The Making of the Middle Sea:
A History of the Mediterranean from
the Beginning to the Emergence of the Classical World Palenque: Eternal City
of the Maya
Royal Cities of the Ancient Maya
See our websites
www.thamesandhudson.com
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
The Birth of Urban Life
John Julius Norwich
The Near East
URUK
The World’s First City
Margarete van Ess
UR
Mesopotamian Centre of Power and Wealth
Marc Van de Mieroop
HATTUSA
Stronghold of the Hittite Empire
Trevor Bryce
TROY
Myth and Reality
Bettany Hughes
BABYLON
Nebuchadnezzar and the Hanging Gardens
Joan Oates
NINEVEH
Palaces and Temples of the Assyrian Kings
Julian Reade
PERSEPOLIS
Heart of the Persian Empire
Marc Van de Mieroop
PERGAMUM
Hellenistic City of Culture
Stephen Mitchell
JERUSALEM
City Founded on Faith
Martin Goodman
PETRA
Architectural Wonder Built on Trade
Jane Taylor
EPHESUS
Sanctuary and Temple of Artemis
Stephen Mitchell
PALMYRA
Between Rome and Persia
Nigel Pollard
Africa
MEMPHIS
The Balance of the Two Lands
Ian Shaw
THEBES
Heart of Egypt’s Golden Age
Bill Manley
AMARNA
Short-Lived City of the Sun God
Barry Kemp
CARTHAGE
Phoenician and Roman Cities
Henry Hurst
ALEXANDRIA
Greek Capital of Egypt
Alan B. Lloyd
MEROË
Royal City of Nubia
Robert Morkot
LEPTIS MAGNA
Splendour and Beauty in North Africa
Nigel Pollard
AKSUM
Ethiopian Royal Trading City
Matthew C. Curtis
Europe
KNOSSOS
Palatial Centre of Minoan Crete
Colin F. Macdonald
MYCENAE
Palaces and Tombs of Warrior Kings
Bettany Hughes
ATHENS
Birthplace of Democracy
Bettany Hughes
AKRAGAS
City of Luxury and Excess
Tony Spawforth
PAESTUM
A Tale of Two Colonies
Nigel Pollard
ROME
Augustus’ City of Stone
Nigel Pollard
POMPEII
A Bustling Provincial City of the Roman Empire
Paul Roberts
NÎMES AND THE PONT DU GARD
Masterpieces of Architecture and Technology
Simon Esmonde Cleary
TRIER
From Provincial City to Imperial Residence
Simon Esmonde Cleary
Asia
MOHENJO-DARO
Mysteries of the Indus Civilization
Robin Coningham
LINZI
Cities of Warring States China
W. J. F. Jenner
XIANYANG
China’s First Imperial Capital
Frances Wood
PATALIPUTRA
Centre of the Mauryan Empire
Robin Coningham
ANURADHAPURA
Island Capital and Pilgrimage Site
Robin Coningham
The Americas
CARAL
Early Monumental Centre in Peru
Daniel H. Sandweiss
LA VENTA
Regal and Ritual City of the Olmec
Richard A. Diehl