Ancient Cities: The Archaeology of Urban Life in the Ancient Near East and Egypt, Greece, and Rome

The third edition of Ancient Cities surveys the cities of the Ancient Near East, Egypt, and the Greek, Etruscan, and Roman worlds from the perspectives of archaeology and architectural history, bringing to life the physical world of ancient city dwellers. It focuses on urban form, architecture, natural topography, and cultural and historical contexts, and discusses objects or artifacts that furnished everyday life. The book includes new and updated user-friendly features, such as clear and accessible language, lavish illustrations, suggestions for further reading, and a companion website. It is an essential textbook for university and high school students across a wide range of archaeology, ancient history, and ancient Near Eastern, Biblical, and Classical Studies courses.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 566 pages
Publication date: 29 February 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The third edition of Ancient Cities, a comprehensive exploration of the cities of the Ancient Near East, Egypt, and the Greek, Etruscan, and Roman worlds, delves into the realms of archaeology and architectural history to bring to life the physical world of ancient city dwellers. With a focus on urban form, the book examines the physical appearance, overall plans, architecture, natural topography, and cultural and historical contexts of these cities. It also explores non-urban features such as religious sanctuaries, burial grounds, and places and institutions that were integral to the daily lives of city inhabitants.

Objects and artifacts that furnished everyday life, including writing systems, pottery, sculpture, wall paintings, mosaics, and coins, are discussed in detail. Ancient Cities stands out for its comprehensive coverage of Old World cultures, providing equal weight to the Preclassical and Classical periods and highlighting the interconnectedness of these ancient civilizations. In this new edition, co-authored by Andrew Goldman and Charles Gates, readers and lecturers will find a significant revision of chapters on Greek cities in South Italy and Sicily, the Etruscans, the development of the capital city, Rome, during the Republic and Empire, and the end of the ancient city.

The book is designed to be accessible to a wide audience, with clear and accessible language that assumes no prior background knowledge. It is lavishly illustrated with almost 350 line drawings, maps, and photographs, including new contributions from Neslihan Yılmaz Tekman, further enhancing its visual appeal. Additionally, the book offers suggestions for further reading for each chapter and a companion website with additional images and resources.

Ancient Cities is a valuable resource for students, scholars, and anyone interested in exploring the rich tapestry of ancient civilizations. Its comprehensive approach, rich illustrations, and user-friendly features make it an essential tool for understanding the past and appreciating the architectural and cultural heritage of the Old World.

Weight: 1466g
Dimension: 173 x 245 x 37 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367232214
Edition number: 3 ed