The world under Roman rule was a world of cities. Some had
earlier been native settlements, such as those in Gaul before the Roman
conquest. Others were the splendid Hellenistic cities in the East. Many
more were of Roman origin, arising from the colonies and fortified camps in
which citizens and soldiers had settled. [21] Where Rome did not find cities,
she created them.
[21] Several English cities, such as Lancaster, Leicester,
Manchester, and Chester, betray in their names their origin in the Roman
castra, or camp.
SOME IMPORTANT CITIES
Not only were the cities numerous, but many of them, even
when judged by modern standards, reached great size. Rome was the largest, her
population being estimated at from one to two millions. Alexandria came next
with more than half a million people. Syracuse was the third metropolis of the
empire. Italy contained such important towns as Verona, Milan, and Ravenna. In
Gaul were Marseilles, Nîmes, Bordeaux, Lyons—all cities with a continuous
existence to the present day. In Britain York and London were seats of
commerce, Chester and Lincoln were military colonies, and Bath was celebrated
then, as now, for its medicinal waters. Carthage and Corinth had risen in new
splendor from their ashes. Athens was still the home of Greek art and Greek
culture. Asia included such ancient and important centers as Pergamum, Smyrna,
Ephesus, Rhodes, and Antioch. The student who reads in his New Testament the Acts
of the Apostles will get a vivid impression of some of these great
capitals.
