Classicism and the Construction of Capital Cities: London, Athens and Rome in the Nineteenth Century - Hardcover
Classicism and the Construction of Capital Cities: London, Athens and Rome in the Nineteenth Century - Hardcover
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by Richard Alston (Author)
Exploring the intriguing interplay between tradition and modernity in the 19th-century capitals of London, Athens and Rome, Richard Alston delves into the political and architectural choices that shaped these cities as representations of self-consciously modern nations. Politicians and architects invested in classical styles in their efforts to break with traditions and assert new values. Classical style was employed to address questions of urbanism and nation, citizenship and belonging, and history and civilization. The story of 19th-century architectural Classicism offers a compelling narrative of utopian dreams clashing with authoritarian politics to generate the complexities of modern urban landscapes.
Through these three case studies, this book illuminates how Classicism became a potent tool for expressing elitist nationalism in London, excluding Greeks from their own capital in Athens, and reinforcing aspiration to a technocratic, new Rome. As such grand visions collided with modern urban realities, Alston unravels the mythic allure and ultimate failure of these utopian endeavours. This book presents a riveting exploration of the architectural choices that reflected the aspirations and challenges of a rapidly changing world, leaving a lasting impact on the capitals and their nations.Author Biography
Richard Alston is Professor of Roman History at Royal Holloway, University of London, UK. He is author and editor of several books including The City in Roman and Byzantine Egypt (2001), and has published articles on the classical influences on modern urbanism, city planning and political theory.
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