The city in the Greek and Roman world

The city for the Greeks and Romans was of paramount importance for their political, religious, and social life, Jnd this book provides an engaging study of both the differing concepts and developments of the city in the Greek and Roman world. For example, the Greek concept of the polis as essentially a community, whose physical attributes - well-built houses, walls, docks - were of secondary importance, gradually shifted. As cities grew, especially under the Hellenistic kings and their Roman successors, fine public buildings, sumptuous houses, and impressive civic amenities became the hallmark of urban life. Drawing on archaeology, literary and epigraphic evidence, professional and technical literature, as well as on descriptions of cities and their monuments from travellers and geographers, the author analyses the evolution of town planning.