Lecture 2 - Early Settlements

by Pratyush Shankar last modified 2006-11-05 20:50

Contributors: Pratyush Shankar
keywords: Egypt, Urban History, Early cities, Lecture Notes, Mesopotamia, River Valley civilization
The module covers the genesis of urban center in different parts of the word. Examples include Mesopotamia, Egypt
and Harrappa

The Origin of Cities (key points)

The move from hunting-gathering to settled existence (agriculture) was the first big shift

Change in reproductive cycle and increase of population - possibilites of surplus

Flooding meant need for community work and surplus meant a possibilities of specialization-
craftsman, mason, farmer, soldier etc.

The role of the hunter-king in leading the settlement. The birth of administrator

The univeralization of religion by amalgamation of different kinds of practices of local deities (very true
for India) into a singular popular religion

The king use religion as an instrument of power- the role of the priest-religion in giving sanctity to the
rule of the king family

Autocratic rule, religious ceromonies (invoking the Gods) raids for live sock and more land become a
common pattern at many places

Key Characteristics of early city

The presence of a precinct and a drstci change of scale- temple, citadel in the precinct (usually raised
plinth)
Ciy wall
Ordinary housing with no heirarchy either in houses or streets
Market spot as part of the temple

Mesopotamian case studies

Ur is a good example of a city near the river with a citadel

Key features were

Presence of a citadel and building of religious importance on raised plinth - Precint
The buildings in the presincts were generous in scale as compared to the residential fabric around. A
big contrast
between the two- in terms of size and elaboration

Egyptian case studies

River valley civilization - surplus- community activity- beaurecracy-ruler

Role of the priest in helping the King use religion as an instrument of sanction

Establishment of unified religious ideology by the use of symbols, myths, arts and architecture

Examples are - Amarna, Memphis, Thebes

Lecture 3- Theories on Origin of Cities

by Pratyush Shankar last modified 2006-12-17 15:09
Various theories on origin of cities

SURPLUS

Theories that regard the river flood plains and agriculture along them as the most important factor that
lead to surplus, community work, functional specialization and urban centers. Village are the
generators of the container.

CITIES AS POLITICAL IMPLANTS - "Cities did not happen- they were made"

That cities and their origin is seen in the light of the fact they were essentially command points that
were controlling vast regions. Cities were important points to claim and command a large area. The
example of Chinese cities is often cited in such theories

THE CITY AS HOLY SPOT

The very spot where cities develop have to have a more primitive connection with certain sacred
activity associated with it. The choice of a certain location was more or less governed by the periodic
pilgrimage, myths, ceromonies and rituals associated to the place by the scattered group of
communities in the region. (see Kevin Kynch)

Lecture-4 Greek Cities

by Pratyush Shankar last modified 2006-10-10 01:46
Democratic practices, cities without walls, urban institutions

Regional Contrast

Geographical features - Rugged landscape, poor land connection, hilly terrain - Natural defence for
isolated settlements

Sea as trade routes, development of independent cities. The terrain allows for independent existence
of cities, each with its own sub-cuture- the birth of City-State

Socio-cuturally and politically a big departure from egypt (nearest historical reference)
Democratic practices, lack of specialization amongst citizens, open discussions and debates, logic,
reasoning - mind and the body

Theatre as a social check, music, arts, philosophy and sports are integral part of the citizen - active
participating citizens (atleast during the early period)

The Acropolis - top of the hill becomes the place for temple and gathering. The Agora - Market place
is relegated to the outskirts. Trade and commerce are not considered very noble activities. The mode
of economy is dependent on exploitation of countryside, but lack of acknowledgement of the same

Cities have understanding with each other and collect together during war (Persia was a consistent
threat). Cities do not have walls, during the early period

The housing areas are neglected and are not elaborated. The main focus is the acropolis- the heart of
the city - the place for the people (often sanitation was poor around residential areas)

As greek city-state began to clonize, they found grid-iron as a effcient instrument to establish their
control over colonies. ex- Melitus, Preine

Contribution of scientific principles of perspective by the way of collonade around the acropolis.
Formalization of the city center

The Grid and the collonaned streets were later picked up by the romans in new colonies they
established

The empire and its cities- Roman Period

by Pratyush Shankar last modified 2006-10-10 06:34
The army, its engineering, administration and colonies

Rome was the center of the Roman empire, from the point of view of political control as well as from
cultural perspective. The period was marked by rapid expansion of territory, implantation of new cities
and military conquests

The Roman rulers realized the importance of the pubic open space as an instrument in gathering
people for their advantage. The greek acropolis and the agora were combind to form the Forum-
which was both the market place as well as civic and religious center of the city.

The scale of the Agora was quite massive, something that had not been seen in past. It had to do with
the act of legitimi