Why did some ancient cities thrive while others vanished forever?
Explore the complex evolution of urban life in this interview with historian Greg Woolf. Discover what defines a city and why certain settlements endured while others collapsed throughout the ancient world.
In this discussion, Greg Woolf provides a modern analysis of urban development, moving beyond traditional historical narratives. The conversation examines the fundamental question of what constitutes a city and investigates the long timeline of human urbanisation.
The video covers the entire trajectory of urban history, tracing the growth and decline of settlements from the Bronze Age through to Late Antiquity. By looking at these global patterns, Woolf connects the rise and fall of ancient civilizations to broader historical processes.
Source: The Life & Death of Ancient Cities, with Greg Woolf
