There have been many cities since the ancient period that have shaped human history. Some have fallen into ruins while others continue as capitals or major metropolitan units of many countries.
This article will give details about the important towns and cities during the ancient period for UPSC Exams
Prominent cities of ancient period
Some of the prominent cities of the ancient period are as follows:
- Jericho: Nestled between the Dead Sea and Mt. Nebo, the settlement had natural irrigation which could sustain its large population. It may as well be the oldest continuously inhabited spot in the world.
Jericho is prominent as it gives insight into human activities during the prehistoric period, with its architectural evidence such as religious shrines and painted skulls that made up the first attempt at creating portraits.
- Mari: This ancient city was an important trading centre of the Mesopotamia region. Many items of trade such as stone, timber, agricultural goods moved through the region. Now an important archaeological site, many municipal documents, economic reports and even personal letters were found.
These findings changed the very understanding of the ancient Near east.
- Ur: Located in present-day Iraq, Ur was another Mesopatomaian city known for its luxury items and precious metals.
Many even consider Ur to be the biblical city of Ur Kasdim mentioned in the Book of Genesis as the birthplace of Abraham, regarded as the common patriarch of the Abrahamic religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Today, Ur lives on in our language — the prefix “ur-” is used to mean the earliest version of something, like in the word “urtext.”
4, Babylon: Babylon was the capital city of the ancient Babylonian Empire, which itself is a term referring to either of two separate empires in the Mesopotamian area in antiquity. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon was a wonder of the Ancient World.
The archaeological site had suffered many setbacks over the years. For starters Saddam Hussein began building over the city in 1983 destroying many precious items. Following the US occupation of Iraq, US soldiers had been found removing relics and a black market in antiquities had been booming ever since then.
- Carthage: Carthage was the capital of the erstwhile Carthaginian Empire, a major rival of the Roman Empire (at the time Roman Republic). Carthage was strategically located in the Mediterranean, where trade made it a rich city and by extension the empire itself.
The city was destroyed in the third and final Punic War in 146 BC with Rome. As per folklore, it is believed that the Romans razed the city to the ground and sowed salt so that nothing would ever grow there. However this is considered to be false as the city was resettled with Italian farmers by Julius Caesar and became an important source of grain for Rome.
In 1985, the mayor of Rome and the Mayor of Carthage signed a peace treaty, officially ending that latent 2,100 year conflict.
- Rome: From its humble origins as a village of shepherds, Rome would go on to become the capital of one of the empires in human history: The Roman Empire. Rome would be the symbol of the achievements and pinnacle of civilization. Its laws would form the basis of many legal codes in modern European nations.
The city reached this size when it did because it relied on the food and taxes brought in from most of Europe and the Mediterranean.
- Constantinople: Located strategically on the Bosphorus sea, Constantinople acted as the gateway between Europe and Asia. It was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, otherwise known as the Byzantine Empire.
The city weathered many invasion from Bulgars, Avars, Persians Arabs until it finally fell to the Turks in 1453, becoming the capital of the Ottoman Empire
The city is now known as Istanbul, Turkey.
- Baghdad: Serving as the capital of the Raisuddin and Abaasid Caliphates, Baghdad was ath te centre of the Golden Age of Islam. It was a 500-year Renaissance of the Middle East that began with the founding of the city in the 700s Ad. It ended with its destruction by the Mongols in 1250 AD.
Baghdad was the centre of learning, where free exchange of ideas between traders, farmers ,scholars from around the known world led to many exchanges of ideas. Chief among them was farming techniques that led to the Arab Agricultural Revolution whose techniques are still in use today.
- Mohenjo Daro: Mohenjo-daro was the most advanced city of its time, with remarkably sophisticated civil engineering and urban planning. It was also one of the largest cities of the Indus Valley Civilization.
Frequently Asked Question about Important cities and towns during ancient period
What were the main cities of ancient India?
What were cities like in ancient India?
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