The Ancient City (Numa Denis Fustel de Coulanges)

This book provides a detailed analysis of the ancient city, emphasizing the central role of religion in the formation and governance of ancient Greek and Roman societies. Fustel de Coulanges argues that the domestic religion, centered on ancestor worship, was the foundation of all civic life, influencing family structures, property laws, and the development of city-states. The book chronicles the evolution of these societies, including the impact of social revolutions and the eventual rise of Christianity, which marked a significant shift in the social and political order of the ancient world.