Print this page Great Cities of the Ancient World: Thebes to Babylon

Ancient cities were centres of power, culture and innovation. This course explores four remarkable cities—Thebes, Mycenae, Mohenjo-Daro and Babylon—examining how geography, governance and belief shaped urban life. We consider what these cities reveal about ancient societies and why their legacies continue to influence how we understand civilisation, trade and cultural development today. Ideal for those interested in ancient history and early urban cultures.

DELIVERY MODE

Hybrid (Face to face and online simultaneously)

COURSE OUTLINE

1. Thebes (Luxor) was one of the great cities of ancient Egypt. The city of the Pharaohs. It was the centre of power and religion in the Middle and New Kingdoms and is central to our understanding of Ancient Egypt
2. Mycenae was important because it laid the groundwork for the Greek civilisation that was to come. Unique architecture and an adventurous people have left an indelible mark on European history
3. Mohenjo-Daro is often overlooked by Western observers. But it was one of the first great cities and, set in the Indus Valley, was a model of organisation and engineering for centuries to come
4. Babylon was a powerful Mesopotamian capital, leaving lasting legacies in law, astronomy maths, architecture and urbanisation

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Understand the founding and development of each city
2. Trace their role in the ancient world and what contribution they made
3. See how they added to human development
4. Understand their history and, in most circumstances, their fall