World Civilizations

EVOLUTION OF CITIES AS A CATALYST TO CIVILIZATION

INTRODUCTION

The seeks to explain the dynamics resulting to the civilization and modernization of our time , using the Athens , Rome , and Alexandria Chinese cum Indian as a part of the explanation . The rise of democratic government as it relates to the development of cities , modern cities The impact of religion , politics , leadership idiosyncrasy , trade and commerce , caste /Kinship system as it influenced the evolution of the modern city or state . The also looks at Contemporary cities in China and Europe

THE ANCIENT

STRUCTURES OF CITIES

The misconception of cities as related to population or numerical strength is prevalent even till date , but cities are defined from the perspective of population density the square metres of the milieu , as it affects the problems of population explosion , the ancient had city states and imperial city state , the imperial denotes the undertone in the political system , which further affects the formation of the city or design (Reilly :128-129

The capital city functioned autonomously and even democratically in its activities , the cities in most cases served the egoistic purposes of rulers

Howbeit , the capital cities were much or less commercial hubs , where transactions from neighbouring and internal trade was operating , the influence of trade had a huge impact on the development or evolution of the state ,for instance it was within and without leading to the success of trade

The Utilitarian function of a city-state as posited by Aristotle is subject to debate , the ancient structure , he speaks in an ironic way and Athens as submitted is overblown in expression an exaggerated existing city-state as disclosed in the strangers view (Ibid )The cities flowing from the aforementioned creates a divergence from what we have now in the modern day , it lacks a lot of facilities . Athens is further depicted as a peasant village (ibid , 130

The political structure of city-states is worthy of note here , power was exercised by majority , which is a sharp contrast with our modern cities The exclusion of women and slaves from vital decision shows a gender imbalance , which in our modern cities to a huge extent has been addressed

The Athenian political system , however allowed for more participation and equality as political positions were occupied by lottery and not voter , per chance . It also allows professionalism cum promotion of skills . The importance of recreation , is also crucial in this , as the Athenian cities had time to have fun , the ampitheater ,agora ,acropolis were centres of attraction , this in a way shows the evolution of all the good things we enjoy in the modern day ,declaring and affirming , they never fell from the sky

Alexandra the great as a student of Aristotle reveals the development of the city - states , toward complexity and more openness , depicted by architectural designs and imperialism (Ibid , 134

Ancient Rome was however characterised by most problems faced in contemporary cities , the cost of living as a good example , the show of power , class division and...