The Seven Wonders & Urban Developments

Cities as Centers of
Trade, Religion and Politics

Cities as Centers of Trade, Religion and Politics
• Location of one
of the Seven
Wonders of the
Ancient World
(The Hanging
Gardens of
Babylon)
Babylon (Center of Politics, Religion
and Trade in Ancient Mesopotamia)

Babylon (Center of Politics, Religion and Trade in Ancient Mesopotamia)
• Located astride the Euphrates River
and divided into four equal parts on
either side of the great river
• The Euphrates served as a vital
trade link with the rest of the region
and land routes linked the city to
the Indus Valley, Egypt and the
Mediterranean
• The Great Ziggurat Temple served
as the ceremonial center to worship
the God of the city-state
• The city was also the home of the
great Library of Nebchadnezzar
• The walled city had eight gates
which linked the cities streets to
the region’s main trade routes

Cities as Centers of Trade, Religion and Politics
Mohenjo-daro
Center of Trade, Religion and Political Power in the Indus River Valley

Mohenjo-daro
Center of Trade, Religion and Political Power in the Indus River Valley
• Earliest known city developed on a
grid system with a main road and
linked side roads and alley ways
• Road network linked cities
of the Harappan Civilization

Mohenjo-daro
Center of Trade, Religion and Political Power in the Indus River Valley
• Earliest city to develop
plumbing, sewage, and
great public baths
• Religious and Political
center marked by a
large Buddhist Shrine
(Stupa) and Grand
Fortress (Citadel)

Cities as Centers of Trade, Religion and Politics
Rome (Capitol and Trade Center of the Roman Empire)
• Located in the heart
of the Italian Peninsula
• Connected to the
southern coast by the
Appian Way
• Linked by trade to
all the provinces of the
Roman Empire

Roman Forum (Center of Rome’s Economic, Political & Religious Power)
• Located in the center
of the Capitol City
• Site of the Roman
Senate and the
Imperial Palace
• Site of the great Trajan Market (A large
six story complex of offices, shops and
warehouses built between 107-110 AD

Cities as Centers of Trade, Religion and Politics
Teotihuacan (Religious, Political and Economic Center of Ancient Mexico)

Teotihuacan (Religious, Political and Economic Center of Ancient Mexico)
The Pyramid of
the Moon
• At the height of its development,
the city was home to 150,000
• City served as a major Mayan
Trade and Religious
• Three great pyramids are located
in the city: The Feathered Serpent
Pyramid
The Pyramid of the Sun

Cities as Centers of Trade, Religion and Politics
• The City was located on the Eastern
Terminus of the Silk Road in China
• The walled city had 12 gates linking
it to each of the main trade routes
within the Empire
• The City served as the official
capital and government center for
more than ten Chinese Dynasties
• Two large Market Centers were
located within the city to support
the Emperor and his loyal subjects
• Everyone who lived within the city
walls served the emperor and his
palace staff
Xian (Ch’ang-an) Political, Religious and Economic Center of Imperial China.

Xian (Ch’ang-an) Political, Religious and Economic Center of Imperial China.
• Site of the Emperor’s Endless Palace
• Magnificent walls surrounded the city like a
Fortress
• Pagoda’s served as Taoist houses of worship
The Famen Pogoda