Abstract The paper looks at the emergence of the ancientcities, where they emerged, and how they evolved in different regions. The paper shows how urban centers have evolved over time in large measure due to man's efforts to exploit the natural world to his advantage. The paper discusses how ancientcities laid the foundation for the modern urban community of today.
From the Paper "The history of the ancient cities of the Mediterranean - indeed, the history of cities everywhere - is an interesting one. To begin with, cities as we understand the term today began to emerge right around the time of the Neolithic revolution as agricultural surplus became sufficient to support heavily-concentrated populations (Brakman et al., 15). In the Mesopotamian world, it appears as though the first genuine city - Eridu - took root around 4900 B.C. This city, like all the others that the Mesopotamians would construct for themselves, had its own patron god and there is evidence that these urban centers had their own education systems (apparently centrally-planned) in addition to being locations that served as religious loci for the people of pre-Christian Mesopotamia."
Abstract This paper reviews gender, class, money, military purpose, citizenship, behaviour - including hubris and sycophancy and patronage, as different facets determining social class in Ancient Greece and Rome. The range of subjects discussed span over the Greek, Hellenistic and Roman periods, including different examples from many different cities.
From the Paper "Throughout this essay, it is pertinent to realise that the idea of public and private spheres is an 18th Century premise with no basis in the Ancient world where privacy and community overlapped and were not separate "worlds", rather, there were degrees of closeness. In establishing those inside and outside of the social hierarchy this overlap causes considerable confusion in evaluating factors for status. It would be remise to view women as lack any social status because of lack of political rights; women still played a very important role within society."
Tags:ancient, behaviour, citizenship, city, gender, hubris, patronage, social, status, wealth
Abstract This paper goes details the simple facts about everyday life in the ancientcity of Sparta. It includes the different gender roles. It also explains how its ruler turned it into an extreme militaristic society.
From the Paper "Throughout history their has been no other society like that of Sparta. As I will show, Spartan society was very militaristic. A strong emphasis was place on warfare and strength. I will also show how Sparta's ruler, Lycurgus, placed this strong emphasis on his people, starting at a very young age. I will also present different customs and norms that Lycurgus enforced."
Abstract This paper discusses ancient Greece and Rome, noting first that the two major city-states in ancient Greece were Athens and Sparta, and these two cities had different social systems and concentrated on perfecting different aspects of life. The writer notes that the ancient Greeks developed a social system that reflected their geography and climate. The writer further points out that the city-state was the name given to the early kingdoms built around a small city, with the largest political unit being the city itself.
From the Paper "The two major city-states in ancient Greece were Athens and Sparta, and these two cities had different social systems and concentrated on perfecting different aspects of life. The ancient Greeks developed a social system that reflected their geography and climate. The city-state was the name given to the early kingdoms built around a small city, with the largest political unit being the city itself. In time, city-states would join together to form larger political units, creating larger kingdoms and eventually empires stretching across much of a continent or other large area. For the Greeks, the city-state was the basic political unit, and the major ones were Athens and Sparta. The leadership in Athens was democratic, while that in Sparta was based more on strong military leaders."
Abstract This paper discusses various aspects of the ancient Egyptian city of Alexandria, including its geographic features of its location, details of its population and their occupations, the nature and significance of religion and the structure of secular authority. It also investigates the city's cultural, artistic and architectural achievements. The study concludes by drawing attention to the importance of Alexandria and its civilization to the study and understanding of ancient cultures around the globe.
Abstract This paper discusses the evolution of the religion of ancient Egypt from its predynastic beginnings, its rise during the time of the great pharaohs of Egypt, and its collapse after the introduction of Christianity by the Romans. It argues that, although the religion took different forms throughout those years, it never completely changed. Instead, there were carryovers through the years as it evolved. It discusses aspects such as animism, cults, animal worship, regional gods, fetishism, and magic.
From the Paper "Throughout the history of ancient Egypt, the religion of this land has advanced and changed. Additionally, there was never one universally accepted form of religion practiced throughout the country. Instead, many different forms of religion flourished in Egypt simultaneously. The evolution of the Egyptian's belief in magic, gods, spirits, and other spiritual can be seen from Egypt's pre-dynastic roots to its height of development during the dynastic period. Finally, one may see its breakdown and the spread of a new religion after the invasion of Egypt by the Greeks."
Abstract This paper examines how most historians, without debate, describe the ancient economy as one of subsistence, of living in a precarious relationship with the terrain, season and weather. In particular, it analyses the ancient economies of Greek and Roman cities covering a range of sources and subjects from trade, to coinage to modern approaches to ancient attitudes. It also looks at modern schools of thought concerning land, tax, trade, agriculture, industry and banking. It concludes that the ancient economy was actually a system of immediacy- what was best for the period existed, whether it was more or less primitive that the period before.
From the Paper "The self-sufficient nature of the oikos in producing goods for its own use would not be sufficient for trade to the extent of which we have seen. The manufacture of self produced goods is fitting to a period which exists for the period, survival is immediate and the "now" is more important that making provisions for the future, as we have seen in agriculture. The introduction of trade diverges from this economical introversion and opens up the economical sphere. We should not be surprised to see an increase in manufacturing outside the oikos as trade increases ? the two are incontrovertibly linked, more surpluses equals more trade, and more trade produces the wealth to create more trade. Similarly, towards the end of the 4th century we should not be surprised to see a specialisation in manufacturing. As Finley states, in large cities involved in commercial trade "one [trade] is easily enough to support a man" of necessity he who pursues a very specialised task will do it best? ?. We can see an evolution from simple house-bound manufacture to large scale specialisation for trade. Our one criticism of manufacture within the Graeco-Roman world can be neatly summarised in the story repeated by a number of Roman writers of a man who invented unbreakable glass."
Examines creation, history, geography, sociopolitical and economic factors, land use, design and urbanism theories related to this royal city built in the mid-14th Century B.C.
4,050 words (approx. 16.2 pages), 11 sources, 1999, $ 135.95
Abstract "The site of the city of Akhenaten, the only virtually complete ancient town to have survived from ancient Egypt, lies 160 miles south of Cairo, midway between the modern towns of Minya and Asyut (Weigall 92).
From the Paper "The site of the city of Akhenaten, the only virtually complete ancient town to have survived from ancient Egypt, lies 160 miles south of Cairo, midway between the modern towns of Minya and Asyut (Weigall 92). It is only at el-Amarna that a comprehensive range of official and residential buildings have been preserved, comprising the essential elements of an Egyptian royal city of the mid-fourteenth century BCE. This paper will look at how urbanism theories apply to the city of Amarna.
INTRODUCTION
The city of Amarna (or "Horizon of the Sun Disk") is located on the eastern side of the Nile in Middle Egypt, half way between Cairo and Luxor. The ancient city is formed by a bay of cliffs to the east and the Nile to the west, taking the shape of an archer's bow, with the Nile as the string and the city couched ..."
Abstract This essay explores the similarities and differences between the creation myths of three cosmological systems from Heliopolis, Hermopolis and Memphis.The paper discusses the close approximation of the Egyptians cities and their location along the Nile and the way in which this facilitated communication and the spread of knowledge in addition to the migration of people and the way in which individual cities would have also developed their own unique myths.
From the Paper "Creation myths from Heliopolis, Hermopolis, and Memphis In ancient Egypt: the Three Cosmological Systems In the studying of ancient creation myths of Egypt it is important to note that many are both contradictory yet were apparently accepted at the time ("Egyptian Religion" para. 1). Gods and goddesses across the religions have been identifies as being fairly identical and having had existed side by side ("Egyptian Religion" para. 1) This phenomena likely has a number of explanations, not the least of which is that in ancient times, there was no collective questioning of the duplication and overlap of myths and gods, no established theological or ruling order that prevented this ("Egyptian Religion" para 4)."
Abstract This paper discusses similarities between the ancient Greeks and the ancient Hebrews. It discusses the similarities in terms of both being relatively small kingdoms, both being centered on a few autonomous cities, both with a well-developed religious mythos, and both given to philosophical writings. The paper then compares the ancient Greeks and Hebrews to the ancient Romans.
From the Paper "Ancient Greece and the ancient Hebrews had similar civilizations in many respects, both being relatively small kingdoms, both being centered on a few autonomous cities, both with a well-developed religious mythos, and both given to philosophical writings. Neither civilization was as grandiose or widespread as the Roman civilization that followed, and both were shaped around smaller groupings of warring cities or tribes. The tribes of Israel were unified and held together first by their beliefs, but they clearly lacked many of the elements considered essential to the concept of a nation. The tribes of Israel never acted long as a unit prior to the time of the rise of the monarchy in Palestine. There was before that time only single tribes, and occasionally small groups of tribes intervening in historical events. The term "nation" used to refer to the Israelites cannot be seen as having the same sense when used for other nations."
Abstract This paper discusses Phenix City in Russell County, Alabama, otherwise known as "Sin City, USA." The paper discusses the history of illegal activity in Phenix City and how the city became a haven for criminals. The paper then goes on to describe the efforts to clean up Phenix City and how its image has begun to evolve over time. The paper concludes by discussing the name of the city, "Phenix."
Table of Contents:
I. A.K.A.
"Once Known as "Sin City"
II. Commonplace Sins
A Haven for Hellish Activities?
Cleaning Up Phenix City III. The name, "Phenix"
Excuses and Reasons
From the Paper "Hugh Bentley, a layman, decided to try to fire the churches into action against the sin and criminal activity in 1946. Bentley stressed that Phenix City's problem was a moral one and that until the moral breakdown was changed, things would not improve. January 9, 1951, Bentley's house was blown up with thirty-six sticks of dynamite, however, neither he nor any of his family was seriously injured."
"In 1954, Albert Patterson, a sixty-year-old Phenix City lawyer, adopted his campaign crusade to be cleaning Phenix City's gambling machine. At this time, Phenix City was described by Life Magazine as the "wickedest city in the United States, . . . everything from gambling to murder to arson to fraud." (Ibid.) June 1, 1954, Patterson won the Democratic primary."
The history and development of the architecture of the Roman theater building. An in-depth look at how the ancient Romans borrowed heavily from the Greek example, but improved upon it to create a building that was uniquely Roman.
Abstract The paper discusses in great detail the evolution of the Roman theater, beginning from the Greek wooden origins to the stone monuments that became iconic with Roman architecture during the Republic and the Empire. A brief history of theater is discussed in the beginning of the paper, with special attention given to the religious implications of how theaters were originally set up. The importance of the orchestra and "skene" are given historical background, dating back to early Dionysian worship. The layout of the early Greek theaters are discussed, with a complete layout included that describes the circular performance area, the seating arrangements, background adjustments and a rudimentary stage. The rest of the paper deals with how the Romans, eager to take the art of theater from being a religious practice to more of an entertainment value for the masses, incorporated their own unique designs to the Greek theater layout to create a more efficient and clearly Roman design. Heavy attention is give to Vitruvius and his work " De Architectura" which provides a step-by-step process in which Roman theaters were built. Improvements are discussed from eliminating the completely circular stage to a half-circle, as well as creating an official stage that persists in modern theatrical performances. The paper takes each part of the theater and discusses the area extensively in terms of what the Romans did to improve upon or change from the early Greek models.
From the Paper "Ancient Rome's concept of art and architecture was heavily influenced by the cultures that the Romans had conquered, but were in no way identical copies of the art that existed in those subjugated areas. The Romans excelled at taking artistic ideas from other civilizations and molding them into a form that could undoubtedly be identified as uniquely Roman. This technique can easily be seen in practice when one examines the Roman theater building. Roman theaters can be found throughout the area that used to be the Roman Empire, with remnants of theaters all over Europe and the Mediterranean. These theaters have details and building techniques that are exclusive to Roman designs, but when they are viewed in comparison with ancient Greek theaters, one can clearly see where the Romans received their inspiration."
Abstract This paper traces the history of the architectural form and cultural function of the amphitheatre from its modest beginning in ancient Greece through to the Roman influenced theatre of today. It examines how, although some aspects of their design and function are debatable because so little of their physical structure exists today, Greek theaters can be chronologically classified into three categories: The early Athenian, Hellenistic and Graeco-Roman. It discusses how all of these theaters could be divided into essentially three parts: the theatron (or auditorium), the orchestra and the skene (or scene building) and how these standards developed over time.
From the Paper "In its simplest form the orchestra of a theater is simply a circular plot of land designated as a place for dance and this idea defines the orchestra employed during this time. It was circular in shape with a diameter of about 66 feet and was believed to be a locus for supernatural powers. An altar (or thymele), described as "a short drum of marble decorated with low-relief carvings of garlands and satyrs, or other Greek icons? was usually erected in the epicenter of the orchestra. It was primarily used prior to performances for sacrifices in honor of the god Dionysus, however plays with religious content often incorporated the altar into the performance. A level surface area, raised one foot from the orchestra and situated below the skene, termed the proscenium, served as the area in which the majority of the dramatic action transpired."
This paper discusses in detail information from websites that describe the tourist cities of Verona; the London areas of "Little Venice," Camden, and the Tower of London; and the city of Pisa.
7,025 words (approx. 28.1 pages), 18 sources, MLA, $ 157.95
Abstract This paper explains that the Internet permits the traveler to gain much information to enable the choice of destination, especially snippets of information on the history, highlights, prices of hotels, the food availability and its cost, nearest bus stops, airports and railways, the currency and its present value of the currency and special events. The author points out that on the website, 'CheapHotel.Com' the history of Verona is depicted in great detail, stating that this ancientcity dates back to the time of the settlement of the Indo-European travelers who found the land in the city to be extremely fertile. The paper concludes that Internet advertising is very popular, especially in relation to travel and tourism, and the response generated from these advertisements on the Internet is ever increasing.
From the Paper "On the Internet, the Tower of London is most often presented as the very best tourist destination for the traveler. Some websites offer 'Virtual Tours', wherein after a short history of the Tower, a tour is presented to the visitor of the website, wherein they can access the time in London, the weather conditions there now, and other small details that would make this place come alive, or rather become virtually real. In addition, a 'Midi' by Barry Taylor, on 'Rule Britannia' has been added to the site whereby one can listen to it when browsing through the information offered. The current news is provided on the website in the form of the 'Tower of London Gazette' which the visitor can read if he so desires. A section entitled 'Grandma's Recipes' is also available, and one can find excellent English recipes on the pages of this site."
Abstract The paper researches the origin and meaning of the seven gates of Jerusalem that are still in use, namely, the Damascus Gate, the Dung Gate, Zion Gate, Lion's Gate, Jaffa Gate, Gate of Flowers and the New Gate. The paper focuses on when the various gates were built and the historical significance of the gates and thus demonstrates that the history of the seven gates of Jerusalem is meaningful to the ancientcity.
Outline:
Introduction
History of the seven gates
Damascus Gate
Dung Gate
Zion Gate
Lion's Gate (St. Stephen's Gate/Gate of the Pillar)
Jaffa Gate (Hebron Gate)
Herod's Gate (Gate of Flowers)
New Gate
From the Paper "There were originally 11 gates of Jerusalem at the current time only seven of these gates are in use. The gates were built. The names of the seven gates that are still in use are the Damascus Gate, the dung Gate, Zion Gate, Lion's gate, Jaffa Gate, Gate of Flowers and the New Gate. The remaining four gates that are closed includes the Golden gate, the single gate, the double gate and the Huldah gate. For the purposes of the discussion we will focus on the seven gates that are still open.
"To better understand the location of the gates it is essential to know that Jerusalem is divided into four main quarters the Armenian quarter, the Jewish quarter, the Muslim quarter and the Christian quarter."
Tags: Damascus, Dung, Zion, Lion, Jaffa, Flowers, New, Gate
