Rome City

They come in droves, busloads of tourists shepherded down through modern streets, shops and stalls, past souvenir stands and hordes of local guides offering insight and spectacle. From all across the world they come to the Italian region of Campania, to walk the cobbles of ancient streets, peer at frescoes, marvel at sculptures, and visit the remnants of historic villas, bath-houses and even brothels. In 2003, it was estimated these international visitors contributed some $35 million dollars to the Italian economy.

The City of God is the usual English translation of the most influential work written in the fifth century. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, wrote it between 413 and 426. Augustine argued that Christianity was not the cause of the Empire’s collapse. He turned the gaze from the city of Rome to the City of God, in the spiritual life of true believers.

The center of political and commercial interaction in the Ancient Greek polis was the agora. The word essentially means a gathering place or an open space, and in all Greek city states, the agora was central to all aspects of daily life and commerce.