City Libraries, City of Gold Coast

Ten cities that led the world, from ancient metropolis to modern megacity, Paul Strathern

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Ten cities that led the world

bibliography

Paul Strathern

from ancient metropolis to modern megacity

From the founding of ancient capitals to buzzing modern megacities, this history of ten cities explores how urban centres have led civilisation forward. Great cities are complex, chaotic and colossal. These are cities that dominate the world stage and define eras; where ideas flourish, revolutions are born and history is made. Through ten unique cities, from the founding of ancient capitals to buzzing modern megacities, Paul Strathern explores how urban centres lead civilisation forward, enjoying a moment of glory before passing on the baton. We journey back to discover Babylonian mathematics, Athenian theatre and intellectual debate, and Roman construction that has lasted millenia. We see Constantinople evolve into Istanbul, revolutionary sparks fly in Enlightenment Paris, and the railways, canals and ships that built Imperial London. In Moscow men build spaceships while other men starve, New York's skyscrapers rise up to a soundtrack of jazz, Mumbai becomes home to immense wealth and poverty, and Beijing's economic transformation leads the way. Each city has its own distinct personality, and Ten Cities that Led the World brings their rich and diverse histories to life, reminding us of the foundations we have built on and how our futures will be shaped

Prologue: what survives -- Babylon: the building blocks -- Athens: the template -- Imperial Rome -- Constantinople/Istanbul: capital of two empires -- Paris: City of Enlightenment -- London: heart of the British empire -- Revolutionary Moscow -- New York: beacon of dreams -- Mumbai: a vision of our future -- Beijing: the alternative future

10 cities that led the worldFrom ancient metropolis to modern megacity