Rome Wasn't Built in a Day

This past Monday, Mary T. Boatwright, a professor at Duke University, gave a speech here at Loyola entitled, “The City, and Cities, in Greek and Roman Cultures”. This was the first of many lectures in this semester’s Humanities Symposium. Professor Boatwright’s talk addressed great cities of the past and compared them to the remarkable cities in the present day.

Athens, Rome, and Sparta were the powerful cities of the past that were also the focal points of the lecture. A central ideal that was shared by the three cities was that without people, a city does not thrive- it in fact dies. The idea of one unit and one community was a key Roman and Greek value. Both Greek and Roman cities had common structural and moral foundation. There was a nucleated built center of the city where people would meet for politics and also for social interactions. Buildings that were constructed embodied Greek or Roman power. These buildings defined the cities back then and still today. There was a sense of Roman or Greek pride that was felt within the city and also in colonies established by their respected empire.

However, even though these cities had a strong foundation of community and structure, there was corruption and other downfalls. Some city leaders possessed too much power. These actions sometimes tore the city community apart. People were occasionally displaced from their homes due to tyrannical rule. Also, the structure, which included massive amphitheaters, coliseums, and political buildings, caused boundaries within the tightly knit community. These ancient cities served as blueprints for cities in the future and there was always the possibility for negatives along with the positives.

This lecture of Greek and Roman cities, as well as culture, can be linked to many of the readings we have discussed thus far. Also, the pros and cons of these cities in the past can also be linked to many cities in the 21st century.

Jane Jacobs’, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, is the focal point for the Humanities Symposium. When attending the first lecture, I could relate many of the flaws that Jacobs’ saw in great American cities to Athens, Rome, and Sparta. I could also relate the downfalls that these ancient cities faced to both Philadelphia, a city that I have known since I was born, and also to Baltimore, a city that I growing a greater understanding for.

American cities today do not function as a well knit community. Today, people are caught up with professional careers, sports, and family life that there are not as many meeting in the town square for a chat about politics. There are barriers, which can separate a city according to Jacobs. These barriers can include buildings, harbors, bridges, and campuses. In every city, there are homeless people, people who have been displaced from their homes. The negatives of the past can always come back to haunt the present.

Yet, where there are flaws, there are positives. People living in an American city today have their acquaintances and meet strangers everyday. It might not be tight knit community, but people in a city do have a sense of belonging. The Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, and the Space Needle; these are just a few of many building that help define a city (especially New York and Seattle). A city hall and other major political buildings are found in the center of a city. Nothing brings more city pride than when a sports team has made the playoffs. September 11th was probably the greatest display of pride during our generation. Not only was there the pride of 8 million inhabitants of New York City, but that even cause national pride and unity as well. Whether you are living back in 1st century or currently live in the 21st century, parallels between that past and present are innumerable.

As an established civilization, we can take a lot from the past. People should step outside of their comfort zone and experience the world around them. Barriers should not hinder knowledge. One should take pride in where they live and get to know why their city has continued to flourish for so long. Without the past, there would be no future. We can learn so much from Athens, Sparta, Rome, Philadelphia and Baltimore, all we have to do is just open our eyes and experience something new.