Andrew Wallace-Hadrill, "The Idea of the City in Late Antiquity: A Study in Resilience" (Cambridge UP, 2025)
Apr 16, 2025
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Andrew Wallace-Hadrill, Emeritus Professor at the University of Cambridge, dives into the resilience of ancient cities in a transforming world. He challenges the narrative of decline following the Roman Empire, showcasing how cities adapted and remained vital. Through the lens of contemporary writers like Cassiodorus, he reveals the continuity of urban identity and governance. The discussion spans from the evolution of citizenship to the impact of digitalization on historical preservation, highlighting the significant legacy cities have on culture and civilization.
Cities in late antiquity displayed resilience, adapting and transforming rather than declining after the fall of the Roman Empire.
The essence of urban life was rooted in citizenship, emphasizing community rights as articulated by figures like St. Augustine.
Local councils actively maintained city infrastructure and governance, showcasing the importance of formal structures amidst political changes.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Cities in Late Antiquity
The concept of cities and their significance evolved dramatically after the fall of the Roman Empire. The common narrative suggests that post-Roman cities were mere shadows of their former selves, losing vitality and structure. However, evidence indicates that these cities were not entirely abandoned; they adapted and transformed over time, maintaining urban life. The research highlights continuity in urban planning, public life, and social fabric, with remnants of Roman structures integrated to fulfill new social and political roles.
The Role of Citizenship in Urban Identity
Citizenship was a central theme in the discussion of city life during late antiquity, especially as articulated by figures like St. Augustine. He emphasized that the essence of the city lies not just in its physical structure but in the sense of community and rights shared among its citizens. Augustine's ideas connected the spiritual notion of a 'City of God' with the earthly political entity of Rome, suggesting that despite Rome's decline, the concept of citizenship persisted and evolved. This transformation paved the way for new forms of community that emerged in the medieval cities rooted in the ideals of democracy and participation.
The Importance of Local Governance
City administrations and local councils played a crucial role in preserving urban life during transitions after the fall of Rome. Contrary to the belief that local councils declined, evidence shows that they were actively involved in maintaining city infrastructure and fostering community life. Documents from cities like Ravenna reveal intricate rituals surrounding property transfers, highlighting the importance of formal governance structures. This indicates that, despite external political changes, the traditions and systems of local governance remained vital in sustaining city identities.
Continuity in Cultural Expression
The cultural expressions of cities have shown remarkable continuity through various historical phases, including the transition from antiquity to the medieval period. Artistic representations of cities maintained specific motifs, emphasizing their wall boundaries and internal structures, akin to how individuals are depicted in art. The literary tradition of praising cities can be traced back to antiquity, illustrating an enduring sense of pride in urban identity. Such cultural continuities reveal how cities have long been celebrated and romanticized, shaping their perception as centers of civilization and human achievement.
Transformation vs. Decline of Urban Life
The relationship between urban and rural life highlights ongoing transformations in city structures and their cultural significance. While cities like Constantinople emerged as new centers of power and culture, older cities witnessed changes as well, often due to economic and social shifts. Examining archaeological and literary records provides insight into urban decay and renewal, challenging the narrative of inevitable decline. Overall, the dynamic interplay between cities and surrounding countryside reflects broader socio-economic trends and complex human experiences across time.
The city was one of the central and defining features of the world of the Greek and Roman Mediterranean. Challenging the idea that the ancient city 'declined and fell', Andrew Wallace-Hadrill argues that memories of the past enabled cities to adapt and remain relevant in the changing post-Roman world. In the new kingdoms in Italy, France and Spain cities remained a key part of the structure of control, while to contemporary authors, such as Cassiodorus in Ostrogothic Italy, Gregory of Tours in Merovingian Gaul, and Isidore in Visigothic Spain, they remained as crucial as in antiquity. The archaeological evidence of New Cities founded in this period, from Constantinople to Reccopolis in Spain, also shows the deep influence of past models. The Idea of the City in Late Antiquity: A Study in Resilience (Cambridge UP, 2025) reveals the adaptability of cities and the endurance of the Greek and Roman world.
Sheds fresh light on one of the most important social and cultural developments in the transition from classical antiquity to the world of the Middle Ages
Explores developments through the eyes of contemporary writers and documents as well as the archaeological record
Of interest to all those concerned with how cities can adapt in a radically changing world
ANDREW WALLACE-HADRILL is Emeritus Professor in the Faculty of Classics at the University of Cambridge and an Emeritus Fellow of Sidney Sussex College. He is a Roman cultural historian and his books include Suetonius: The Scholar and His Caesars (1983), Augustan Rome (1993), Houses and Society in Pompeii and Herculaneum (1994), Rome's Cultural Revolution (Cambridge, 2008) and Herculaneum: Past and Future (2011). Former Director of the British School at Rome, he has directed archaeological projects at Pompeii and Herculaneum. This book is the result of his project on the Impact of the Ancient City, which received funding from the European Research Council.
Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube channel. Twitter.
