FIRST ASSIGNMENT
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INTRODUCTION . In your notes write 1) the name of what you consider to be a ‘great city’ (other than DC) and 2) ONE thing that makes this city truly ‘great’ in your opinion.
Two thousand years ago, a traveler on his way to Rome—one of the greatest cities of all time and the administrative center of one of history’s most significant civilizations—was greeted by its citizens long before reaching one of its famed gates. All along the highways leading into the capital, columned tombs, shrunken sarcophagi, and walled mausoleums lined the streets. Tombs of the dead addressed passersby like billboards from the beyond:
You are human. Stop and contemplate my tomb, young man, to know what you will be. I did no wrong. I performed many duties. Live well, for soon this will come to you. Goodbye, hope and fortune. There will be no more prayers from me, so have your sport with others.
These tombs greeted everyone seeking entrance to the great city and were situated there because Roman law prohibited burials within the walls (only Caesar was granted a dispensation to be buried within the city). Cities are for the living, and space within them is always at a premium. But the tombs outside Rome served as poignant reminders that the living participate in a much grander chain of existence, that the lives of individual men, however short, nasty, and brutish, exist within a much larger and more significant context.
This course will investigate the connections between the city and that “more significant something” that we term civilization. We will discover that ancient civilizations often organized themselves around specific cities rather than any modern notion of national identity. It was the city that reshaped nature itself, the city that provided a radically new way to live, the city that cultivated the genius of man and gave vibrancy to the commonalities of life. Throughout this semester, therefore, we will be looking at ancient history through the lens of the urban environment, i.e., the city.
At certain times throughout history, individual cities have been so instrumental in fostering major developments in religion, politics, art, and science that they achieved a status of greatness. What makes a particular city, at a particular time, suddenly become immensely creative, exceptionally innovative, and universally important to humanity? This is the overriding question we will address over the course of the semester as we study the civilizations of ancient Sumer, Greece, and Persia, and the cities that defined them.
For class, you will always need to bring a single notebook, a pen, and your “Cities” book. Almost all of the material for this course is in your book. If you forget your book at school, you can always access the content on the Internet Archive, a link to which is posted on the BULLETIN PAGE (be sure to use the most current 10th edition). I will usually post your homework on MySTA for an entire week under ANNOUNCEMENTS so you can manage your time accordingly. I try to post the upcoming week’s work Friday evening or Saturday morning.
European History 
1)Will G
2) New York City
3) One of the things that makes New York City great is the urban planning including the creation of parks like Central Park and Prospect Park which give people access to nature and animals. The parks also provide an area for recreation.
Brendan S. here. I think that Singapore is a great city. Singapore, even though it is a tiny city state, has flourished into a hub of commerce.
Alistair C, and I think that Barcelona is a great city because of the unique and very beautiful architecture around the city that I think makes it stand out as a place with a rich culture.
Logan C, I think the city of Alexandria (Ancient Egypt) is a great city. It was a hub of commerce and was home to one of the largest libraries in history.
*I meant was after Egypt
2. I think that Istanbul is a great city. I think that when Istanbul was part of the Roman empire specifically (Constantinople) it was a great city.
3. I think that Istanbul (Constantinople) is a great city because of many reasons. For one, Constantinople was the capital of the Roman empire for thousands of years. The city today even has an amazing array of architecture from Byzantine and orthodox christian churches to Ottoman mosques. For instance, the Hagia Sophia (which is a famous mosque in the city) incorporates Byzantine design as it was a church when it was built as well as Ottoman design as it was converted into a mosque later on. The main reason why I think that it is a great city is because it is the gateway between Europe and Asia. Therefore, the city has been important throughout history for trade routes which linked different civilizations in Africa, Asia, and Europe to each other.
Choosing one aspect that makes this city great, I would choose the mixture of various cultures.
Spencer W.
I think that New York City is a great city.
One thing that makes it great is that it is one of the biggest cities in the U.S and has a lot of very impressive architecture.
Mac R
I think that Barcelona is a great city due to its architecture and robust public transportation
Dhillon Cannavo
I believe that London is the best city
One thing that makes London a great city is the many different cultures and diversity. Because of this, London exels in showing many different artistic styles all throughout the city.
Ryan H
Paris is a good city because of the rich culture history and architecture.
1.Henry Pistilli
2. I think Barcelona is a great city.
3.Barcelona is a great city due to its desirable geographic location, it’s thriving cultural aspects from different historical periods, as well as the wondrous architecture throughout the city. Barcelona is located on the coast and contains a strong selection of beaches to visit while also being close to a beautiful mountain range, making it a picturesque location. Although Barcelona is a fast developing and modern city, it has done a good job preserving it’s rich history. A good example of this is the city’s Gothic Quarter which showcases the remains of the old Roman city. Barcelona is also filled with fascinating buildings designed by architects such as Antoni Gaudi, whose most famous works are the gardens of Park Guell, and the stunning Sagrada Familia cathedral, which is still in construction today.
Isaac J
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is an amazing city especially in the summer because of the diversity of people who roam the streets. The architecture is beautiful and the weather is the perfect summer temperature.
George Gibson,
From my persepective, a truly great city is Arlington Virginia, the 4th most populous city in Virginia. Besides for being the fittest city in America, Arlington time after time ranks close to the top for best cities to raise a family and best cities for young professional in America. They have a near flawless public transportation system and is widely concidered one of the most walkable and bikeable cities in our country.
Shiv Patel
I think that Cairo, Egypt is a great city.
Cairo is rich in history due to the significance of Cairo as a major Christian and Islamic hub in the Middle East. Cairo was originally founded by Amr Ibn Al-As as Fustat. Fustat was built on the banks of the Nile River in the far south of present-day Coptic Cairo and Rhoda Island. As the Fatimids and Mamluks from North Africa conquered Cairo, Fustat became overshadowed by Al-Qahira. The Mamluks used Fustat as a waste dumping ground, leaving many of Egypt’s early Muslim artifacts buried beneath waste. When the British took over Egypt, Cairo’s architecture flourished again after the regression under control of the Ottomans. Famous places include Qasr Beshtak, one of the most elegant palaces in the world, the entirety of Islamic and Coptic Cairo, the Mosques of Al-Azhar, Mohammed Ali, Al-Qaitbey, Sultan Barsbey, Al-Hakim, Sultan Hassan, Al-Rifa’i, and numerous others. Park Al-Azhar is one of the the most beautiful parks in the world and offers a nice respite from bustling Cairo. The numerous Sabil-Kuttabs (Qur’an Rooms and Fountains) of Cairo also are riveting. The many other sights such as Cairo Tower, Ramses Station, and Midan Tahrir show the intricate history of Modern Egypt. Garden City, the former British-Only district was designed to have winding roads and luscious shade (albeit by palm and mango trees as opposed to beech and oak trees) to remind British officers of their native England. Last but not least, Cairo’s amazing cuisine. Cairo has delectable cuisine from all around the world. Maison Thomas on the Promenade does a smashing pizza and Simonds is a great morning café. Street foods such as Falafel and Foul are a great lunch and many of the restaurants in Cairo will even leave you licking your fingers. In my opinion, despite Egypt’s hardships, Cairo is one of the shining beacons of the Middle East and one of the best cities in the world.
Kamran SB
Berkeley
the city of sunsets, looking over the Sanfransico bay, berkeley undeniably has the best view, and weather. Jus the feeling of landing in SFO and walking outside feeling the crisp cool 66 degree weather with a light breeze is incredible. additionally as berkely is in the hills there are great exspansive hiking trails, such as Wild Cat Canyon, with great mountainbiking trails.
1 Hamilton Baker
2 Chicago, IL
3 Chicago is a great city not only for its affect on national sports and arts culture, but it is a hub for international business and tourism and contains advanced transportation systems such as the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.
GS
Saint Petersburg
Sitting on the Neva River as a port city, Saint Petersburg has accumulated three centuries of rich history in which it has had 3 names and survived many wars, culture, and architecture since being founded in 1703 by Peter the Great.
1: John F
2: Atlanta, GA
3: Atlanta is a great city not only for its sport teams and hype around the city, but it gets a great mixture of everything in the world. You get the best out of all words if you are in Atlanta. The sports are amazing, the food is great and the community is lots of fun. Atlanta is a great city for most people, unless you like the snow. Atlanta doesn’t get much of that.
Akash S.
Bellagio, Italy
Bellagio, Italy, is a great city for may reasons such as its cuisine, towns, and activities, but most of all for its breathtaking scenery. Lake Como is surrounded by the Italian Alps and has a few cities built around it. The pearl of the Lake, also known as the city Bellagio, has one of the best views of the Lake, highlighting the waters, town, and mountains all at once. From my personal experience, it is one of the most beautiful places I have been to in my life, and is not as well known as other cities in Italy. In addition, within the city lies cobblestone streets and interesting activities at every turn, highlighting the unique culture even more. The boat tours are very beautiful as well, showing the wealthy villas built around the lake. Fun Fact: Lionel Messi has a villa in Lake Como and sometimes goes during the summers. With its beautiful waters, skies, mountains, architecture and culture, the “Pearl of the Lake” lives up to its name.
Nick M.
Istanbul
Istanbul has been a great city throughout history given how it has exerted cultural, political, economic influence throughout history. Culturally, this city has displayed its dominance by being the home of great displays of art and ingenuity such as the Hagia Sophia. In addition, it also served as a repository of classical manuscripts during the Middle Ages. Politically, it has proven itself to be great city given how it was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire and is the capital of modern-day Turkey. Economically, it is in an advantageous position as it occupies a channel connecting the Mediterranean Sea with the Black Sea, giving it control of trade in that region.
Zachary C: I would posit that New York City represents a great city, not merely for what it currently is, but for what it represents. Currently it is a husk of its greatness — violent criminals run wild, citizens flee to lower-tax states, and the government enacts policies which seem to only increase this disaster. Instead I speak of the New York City as a symbol of the achievements and accomplishments of America, a nation which, though numerous in its faults, has been arguably the single greatest force for good in this modern epoch. New York City represents the fruits of the craziest experiment maybe ever, when America’s founders wondered if maybe not taxing people into oblivion would yield success, and it did. This is the New York City to which millions of people immigrated from countries around the globe, in search of the opportunity and lack of obstacles provided by America. It is the city where the inventions of America did in 200 years what had taken literally all of human history to do — namely raise the living standards of practically every human being across the globe to levels previously unheard of. In year zero, the per capita GDP was roughly 158 dollars annually. At the dawn of the industrial revolution, it was roughly 800 dollars. Today, it is two thousand dollars in the poorest of nations, and that money can buy people luxuries undreamt of in ancient times. Mansa Musa sat on maybe 1/2 of the world’s gold reserves, but he never had a flush toilet, never had a smartphone, was susceptible to illnesses we have eradicated worldwide or that are treatable with pennies worth of antibiotics, or took years to go from Mali to Mecca, a several hour flight today. All of that was made possible by the free-market capitalism unleashed by America, and New York City is the city emblematic of the great effects.
William H.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
One thing that makes Dubai great is its economy, which has recently shifted from an oil-dependent city to a diversified, thriving global business center.
Gavin T.
Tokyo, Japan
When I think of a ‘great city,’ I think about culture, innovation, structure, and the quality of life it upholds. A great city is one that thrives on its own culture and community as a result of the foundation and structure that the city has been built on. This community flourishes in its own innovation and is able to create its own kind of quality of life. The city that I think sticks to this definition is Tokyo, Japan. Tokyo is known for its modern and urban cities but Japan is also known for its culture and traditions that have been passed down. Japan is an island nation that had to rely on other nations for resources. This reliance made Japan learn how to be both efficient and communicative with other nations. This foundation of efficiency and communication resulted in a quality of life that has low crime and excellent healthcare and transportation. Tokyo is a city that used its culture to its advantage to build a foundation and create an efficient quality of life through the use of innovation and community.
Devin B.
Amsterdam
Something that I think makes Amsterdam a great city is the way it’s architecture and design allow for the buildings to not just coincide with the rivers, but also be heavily influenced by them, with their many boat tours and boat experiences. The city is designed beautifully such that all buildings surround a center island, and are connected with bridges that allow space for boat transport, as that is a major part of life in Amsterdam. It is a centerpiece in art culture, having influences on many famous artists such as Rembrandt and Van Gogh. The city was constructed as a result of the immense innovation required to dig canals and construct platforms for a city to successfully exist on the water. In my eyes, the fact that the city was able to sustainably take advantage of what could be a dangerous landscape and turn it into a heavy influence on their culture is what makes Amsterdam a great city.
Justin D
Los Angeles
I think that Los Angeles is a great city for multiple reasons. Including it’s location, tourist attractions, and it’s history. In terms of location, it is home to LAX which is a great hub for flights to Asia and Los Angeles is close to other thriving cities such as San Fransisco and its popular Silicon Valley. Los Angeles includes tourist attractions such as the Hollywood sign and the Walk of Fame which is known across the world. Lastly, is Los Angeles’ history it was a huge port city and still is today. One of the things that helped Los Angeles grow to its current status is the oil boom. Overall, Los Angeles deserves its title as a great city.
Carter H
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is one of the safest cities in the world, which is important in offering peace of mind for all who visit. Also, it’s tax free making it attractive to business professionals and tourists alike. Finally, there plenty to do for tourists. Such qualities make Abu Dhabi truly a great city for all.
Aiden Moazzez
Tehran, Iran
Tehran is a fascinating city where eras of ongoing history and newly-found
modern experience blend, creating a colorful cultural landscape. Through
its architecture, including grand palaces and skyscrapers, its bazaars and
contemporary art galleries, Tehran showcases a rich tapestry(they are
great tapestry makers as well) of tradition and innovation. The city’s great
food, lively streets, and proximity to the Alborz mountains also make it a
point that attracts both locals and visitors.
Jacob M
Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City is a great city because it serves as a center for amazing skiing in the winter as well as hiking and mountain biking in the summer. The Wasatch mountains and state parks that surround the city create a picturesque landscape that foster a life centered around the outdoors. Salt Lake’s cleanliness, crime safety, and friendly people compliment the surrounding beauty, and as result people show appreciation and support for the environment that defines their city.
Alexander T
London
With a rich history and culture, London is one of the world’s greatest cities. London has been standing since 43 AD when it was founded as a Roman colony. Since London’s founding, it has been a center for trade. By the 5th century, however, London began to experience decline along with the rest of the Roman empire. But London began to be settled by Anglo-Saxons in the 6th century, and became the official capital of England by 1066. From that point, London has been the capital of a nation that has colonized a large fraction of the Earth and a nation that has been a great military power for many centuries. London has also been a center of innovation with large universities such as Cambridge and the King’s College. Furthermore, English culture and language has been cemented in today’s world. Despite London’s copious history, it still remains the capital of one of the world’s most prosperous, diverse, and developed nations. London has surely cemented itself as one of the greatest cities in History.
Reyansh Lall
Barcelona stands out as a great, multifaceted city, excelling in both economic and cultural dimensions. From an economic standpoint, it thrives as a densely populated hub, generating substantial revenue through iconic tourist attractions like the Ramblas and Park Güell. Additionally, its strategic Mediterranean location positions it as a gateway for trade and logistics, connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas. The city is also a pioneer of the “green economy,” (sustainable urban planning) exemplifying the concept of a “supercity” with sustainable transport initiatives and reduced car usage, reclaiming urban spaces for pedestrians–a critical model for future urban development as populations across the globe navigate an inevitable feature of development: urbanization. However, the one feature that truly defines Barcelona as a great city is its unique fusion of economic vitality and cultural richness. Historic landmarks, such as Gothic cathedrals coexist harmoniously with modern artistic achievements such as Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia, creating a city where tradition and innovation blend seamlessly. The diverse culinary scene works in tandem with the vibrant urban environment that underscores community well-being to foster a livable community, ultimately deeming Barcelona a great city.
Christopher R.
I consider London a great city because of the culturally foundational landmarks found all throughout. Not only did London serve as a hub for dramatic productions that expanded the everyday thoughts of citizens, but it also centralized countless qualities of society that are found in the many areas around the world that were shaped by British rule.
Suhail S.
Agbogbloshie or Accra, Ghana is a great city because it is an embodiement of the harsh conditions of our economy where countries that are not as wealthy as the United States, China, Russia, or other big countries are used as wastebins.
Jack G
I believe that Jerusalem is a great city because of the history and cultural significance that it holds. Being one of the world’s oldest cities, Jerusalem has passed through many different empires and jurisdictions over the course of history in many different wars and treaties. Jerusalem is also a focus point in three world religions, giving it cultural significance that causes many to pilgrim to the city.
1)Max D
2)Quebec
3)I believe that Quebec, Canada is a amazing city because it embodies many cultures from all around the world. I find it fascinating how it has a majority of french speakers while still containing traditionally Canadian things like architecture and ice hockey.
Simon M
Sydney, Australia
Sydney is the best city because the quality of life is extremely high, meaning that there is excellent healthcare and social welfare systems. Additionally, the weather and natural beauty are amazing and the city is densely populated and has vibrant culture, making it a top tier city.