Imagining Ancient Cities

Ur, circa 2100 BC. Every time I try to trace this back to its source I end up at a university site to which I can't get access, so it will have to remain anonymous for now. This seems to be a common problem with older reconstructions like this one, or at least I keep having it.

Knossos, c. 1700 BC, Sir Arthur Evans.

Thebes, c. 1400 BC, by J.C. Golvin. Golvin is a professional recreater of the ancient and medieval worlds and his wonderful web site has dozens of examples. I could have done this whole post with his work but I didn't want to steal too much of it.

Nineveh, circa 650 BC by Henry Layard, 1849.

Babylon c. 570 BC by Rocío Espín Piñar, following the work of Robert Koldewey, 1900-1917.

Persepolis c 500 BC by Charles Chipiez, c. 1880.

The Acropolis of Athens, c. 410 BC, by Leo von Klenze, 1846.

Alexandria, with the Lighthouse, c. 250 BC. Engraving by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, 1720.

Punic Carthage by J.C. Golvin.

Port of Appollonia, Libya by J.C. Golvin.

Jerusalem with Herod's temple, by James Tissot, 1886.

Ancient Rome, photo of the 4,500-square foot model by Italo Gismond.

Rome, 180 AD, from the movie Gladiator.

Constantinople under Justianian I, by Antoine Helbert.

Angkor Wat, AD 1200, by Bruno Levy

Tenochtitlan, Mexico, AD 1500, by Ignacio Marquina.