Remembering and Forgetting the Ancient City

The Greco-Roman world is identified by its cities, which have had a lasting impact on the centuries that followed. This book explores the survival and transformation of the ancient city through memory, drawing upon the methodological and theoretical lenses of memory studies and resilience theory. Eleven case studies range from late Antiquity to the mid-20th century, examining how the ancient city was made useful or consigned to oblivion.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2022
Publisher: Oxbow Books

The Greco-Roman world is deeply ingrained in the modern imagination, primarily through its iconic cities. This encompasses not only specific locations like Athens and Rome but also a distinctive urban aesthetic characterized by the use of marble and the bustling presence of teeming crowds adorned in tunics. While this vision may be selective and somewhat misleading, it nonetheless highlights the enduring significance of these ancient cities in the centuries that followed and their profound influence on shaping subsequent memories.

While there remains much about these cities that remains mysterious, historical records have provided us with a relatively comprehensive understanding of the Roman Mediterranean cities. The fact that we still know the names and histories of these cities is a testament to an extraordinary process of remembering and forgetting that spanned across the former Roman world. This process of remembering and forgetting has its roots in antiquity and has continued to shape our understanding of the Greco-Roman city throughout the ages.

This book aims to explore the survival and transformation of ancient cities through the lens of memory and resilience theory. It seeks to understand how the Greco-Roman city lived and vanished for the generations that separated the present from antiquity. By drawing upon the methodological and theoretical frameworks of memory studies and resilience theory, the book offers a fresh perspective on the complex relationship between the modern world and the ancient city.

The book begins by examining the various ways in which post-Antique urban communities have sought to understand and relate to the ancient city on their own terms. It explores the process of forgetting as well as remembering, recognizing that many aspects of the ancient city were lost over time, while those elements that were actively remembered have played a crucial role in shaping our understanding of what it was.

The volume brings together a diverse group of specialists from various fields, including archaeology, history, art history, and cultural studies. Through eleven case studies that span from late Antiquity to the mid-20th century and from the Iberian Peninsula to Iran, the book offers a comprehensive examination of the ways in which the ancient city has been remembered, interpreted, and reimagined.

The case studies cover a wide range of topics, including the preservation and excavation of ancient cities, the construction of new cities in their ruins, the influence of ancient cities on modern urban planning, and the cultural and artistic representations of ancient cities. Each case study provides a unique insight into the complex dynamics of memory and resilience, highlighting the ways in which the ancient city has been both preserved and transformed over time.

One of the key themes that emerge from the case studies is the role of the individual in shaping the memory and legacy of the ancient city. The individuals who lived in and visited these cities, whether they were scholars, artists, politicians, or ordinary citizens, played a vital role. They actively engaged with the ancient city, preserved its memories, and passed them down to subsequent generations. Their interpretations and reimaginings of the city have shaped our understanding of what it was and continue to influence our perceptions of the past.

Another theme that emerges from the case studies is the role of power and politics in shaping the memory and legacy of the ancient city. The political and social structures of the post-Antique world played a significant role in determining how the ancient city was remembered and interpreted. Different groups and individuals have sought to control and manipulate the memory of the ancient city for their own purposes, whether it was to promote their own ideologies, gain political power, or assert cultural dominance.

The book also explores the ways in which the ancient city has been transformed over time. While many aspects of the ancient city have been lost or forgotten, some elements have survived and continue to shape our understanding of the past. These include the architectural remains of ancient cities, such as temples, palaces, and public buildings, as well as the written records and artifacts that have survived. These physical remnants serve as a tangible link to the past, allowing us to glimpse into the lives and experiences of the people who lived in the Greco-Roman world.

In conclusion, this book offers a valuable contribution to the field of memory studies and resilience theory. It explores the complex relationship between the modern world and the ancient city, highlighting the ways in which the ancient city has been both preserved and transformed over time. Through the examination of eleven case studies that span a wide range of time and geographic locations, the book provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the ways in which the ancient city has been remembered, interpreted, and reimagined. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history, culture, and legacy of the Greco-Roman world, as well as for those who are interested in the broader

The Greco-Roman world is deeply ingrained in the modern imagination, primarily through its iconic cities. This encompasses not only specific locations like Athens and Rome but also a distinctive urban aesthetic characterized by the use of marble and the bustling presence of teeming crowds adorned in tunics. While this vision may be selective and somewhat misleading, it nonetheless highlights the enduring significance of these ancient cities in the centuries that followed and their profound influence on shaping subsequent memories.

While there remains much about these cities that remains mysterious, historical records have provided us with a relatively comprehensive understanding of the Roman Mediterranean cities. The fact that we still know the names and histories of these cities is a testament to an extraordinary process of remembering and forgetting that spanned across the former Roman world. This process of remembering and forgetting has its roots and has continued to shape our understanding of the Greco-Roman city throughout the ages.

This book aims to explore the survival and transformation of ancient cities through the lens of memory and resilience theory. It seeks to understand how the Greco-Roman city lived and vanished for the generations that separated the present from antiquity. By drawing upon the methodological and theoretical frameworks of memory studies and resilience theory, the book offers a fresh perspective on the complex relationship between the modern world and the ancient city.

The book begins by examining the various ways in which post-Antique urban communities have sought to understand and relate to the ancient city on their own terms. It explores the process of forgetting as well as remembering, recognizing that many aspects of the ancient city were lost over time, while those elements that were actively remembered have played a crucial role in shaping our understanding of what it was.

The volume brings together a diverse group of specialists from various fields, including archaeology, history, art history, and cultural studies. Through eleven case studies that span from late Antiquity to the mid-20th century and from the Iberian Peninsula to Iran, the book offers a comprehensive examination of the ways in which the ancient city has been remembered, interpreted, and reimagined.

The case studies cover a wide range of topics, including the preservation and excavation of ancient cities, the construction of new cities in their ruins, the influence of ancient cities on modern urban planning, and the cultural and artistic representations of ancient cities. Each case study provides a unique insight into the complex dynamics of memory and resilience, highlighting the ways in which the ancient city has been both preserved and transformed over time.

One of the key themes that emerge from the case studies is the role of the individual in shaping the memory and legacy of the ancient city. The individuals who lived in and visited these cities, whether they were scholars, artists, politicians, or ordinary citizens, played a vital role. They actively engaged with the ancient city, preserved its memories, and passed them down to subsequent generations. Their interpretations and reimaginings of the city have shaped our understanding of what it was and continue to influence our perceptions of the past.

Another theme that emerges from the case studies is the role of power and politics in shaping the memory and legacy of the ancient city. The political and social structures of the post-Antique world played a significant role in determining how the ancient city was remembered and interpreted. Different groups and individuals have sought to control and manipulate the memory of the ancient city for their own purposes, whether it was to promote their own ideologies, gain political power, or assert cultural dominance.

The book also explores the ways in which the ancient city has been transformed over time. While many aspects of the ancient city have been lost or forgotten, some elements have survived and continue to shape our understanding of the past. These include the architectural remains of ancient cities, such as temples, palaces, and public buildings, as well as the written records and artifacts that have survived. These physical remnants serve as a tangible link to the past, allowing us to glimpse into the lives and experiences of the people who lived in the Greco-Roman world.

In conclusion, this book offers a valuable contribution to the field of memory studies and resilience theory. It explores the complex relationship between the modern world and the ancient city, highlighting the ways in which the ancient city has been both preserved and transformed over time. Through the examination of eleven case studies that span a wide range of time and geographic locations, the book provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the ways in which the ancient city has been remembered, interpreted, and reimagined. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history, culture, and legacy of the Greco-Roman world, as well as for those who are interested in the

Dimension: 240 x 170 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789258165