Cities of the Ancient World

Overview Course No. 3723

In “Cities of the Ancient World,” explore the urban landscapes of ancient civilizations, from Uruk and Jericho to Athens and Rome. Reflecting on ancient city models provides vital lessons for today’s urban environments. Taught by Professor Steven L. Tuck, this course features 24 enlightening lectures that delve into the design and architecture of ancient cities, revealing the daily lives of the people who inhabited them.

Course Content

1. The Lure of the City

• Duration: 30 min

• Description: Explore why ancient humans transitioned from forests to settlements and the significance of this transformation.

2. Catalhoyuk: First Experiment in Urban Living

• Duration: 29 min

• Description: Discover the unique characteristics of Çatalhöyük, the world’s first city, built in layers without streets or public buildings.

3. Jericho and Its Walls

• Duration: 29 min

• Description: Investigate the archaeological remains of Jericho to understand its community and urban environment beyond the biblical narrative.

4. Uruk: City of Gilgamesh

• Duration: 29 min

• Description: Learn about Uruk, a central city of Mesopotamia, highlighting its division of labor and class hierarchy.

5. Mysterious Mohenjo-daro

• Duration: 31 min

• Description: Explore the enigmatic city of Mohenjo-daro in the Indus Valley, relying on archaeological findings to understand its culture.

6. Kahun: Company Town in the Desert

• Duration: 32 min

• Description: Discover Kahun, a planned city in ancient Egypt, designed for laborers building tombs and temples for the pharaohs.

7. Work and Life at Deir el-Medina

• Duration: 30 min

• Description: Meet skilled workers in the New Kingdom and learn about their social mobility and literature.

8. Amarna: Revolutionary Capital

• Duration: 28 min

• Description: Examine Amarna, built as a capital to redirect political authority, and analyze its iconic imagery.

9. Knossos: Palace, City, or Temple?

• Duration: 28 min

• Description: Delve into the Minoan city of Knossos, exploring its urban design and cultural significance.

10. Akrotiri: Bronze Age Pompeii

• Duration: 27 min

• Description: Visit Akrotiri, preserved by volcanic activity, and analyze its remnants for insights into daily life.

11. Mycenae, Tiryns, and the Mask of Agamemnon

• Duration: 32 min

• Description: Explore Bronze Age Greece, focusing on Mycenae’s architecture and political systems.

12. Athens: Civic Buildings and Civic Identity

• Duration: 30 min

• Description: Tour key landmarks of classical Athens, including the Acropolis and the Agora, understanding their significance.

13. Athenian Domestic Architecture

• Duration: 33 min

• Description: Investigate daily life in Athens, emphasizing domestic spaces and gender roles.

14. Hippodamian Planning: Miletus and Ephesus

• Duration: 29 min

• Description: Learn about urban planning in ancient cities and its implications for social order.

15. Olynthus: A Classical Greek City Preserved

• Duration: 28 min

• Description: Discover the well-preserved city of Olynthus and what it reveals about domestic life in ancient Greece.

16. Wonder and Diversity at Alexandria

• Duration: 30 min

• Description: Explore Alexandria’s cosmopolitan nature, cultural significance, and its status as a hub of diversity.

17. Pergamon: The New Theatricality

• Duration: 30 min

• Description: Understand how Pergamon’s design evoked wonder and drama, contrasting with other planning styles.

18. The Good Life in Rome

• Duration: 29 min

• Description: Follow a wealthy Roman citizen in their daily interactions and experiences in ancient Rome.

19. The Lives of the Poor in Rome

• Duration: 29 min

• Description: Experience the struggles of a Roman immigrant glassblower, exploring the challenges of the lower class.

20. Ostia: Middle-Class Harbor Town

• Duration: 28 min

• Description: Investigate the middle-class city of Ostia, understanding its economy and social structure.

21. Timgad: More Roman Than Rome

• Duration: 29 min

• Description: Explore the planned city of Timgad, established by military veterans, and its representation of Roman culture.

22. Karanis: On the Fringes of the Empire

• Duration: 28 min

• Description: Learn about Karanis, an agricultural community with a diverse population at the Roman Empire’s edge.

23. Constantinople: The Last Ancient City

• Duration: 29 min

• Description: Examine the development of Constantinople and its significance bridging antiquity and the Middle Ages.

24. Lessons and Legacies of Ancient Urban Life

• Duration: 33 min

• Description: Reflect on ancient cities’ influence on modern architecture and urban design, drawing lessons from the past.