Great cities and their golden ages - those moments of power and prestige, of cultural and architectural ferment and of political dominance - are explored in a book of panoramic sweep encompassing almost 4000 years. Each city is brought to life through its people, their work and pleasures, their customs and society and the dramas and excitements that caused their rise and fall. The appearance of the city itself is vividly described, its planning and architecture, and the artistic treasures which it produced...