Roma and Chang’an: world capitals

This is a hybrid event hosted by the International Centre for Chinese Heritage and Archaeology (ICCHA), which will take place in Room 209, 2nd floor of the UCL Institute of Archaeology, and also online via Zoom. Registration for the Zoom event is via the booking link above. This seminar is free and open to all. All welcome! 

Abstract 

In Western and Eastern traditions, respectively, Rome and Chang'an represent ‘world capitals’. While ideological claims to centrality, power, size, multi-ethnicity and multi-religiosity represent unifying characteristics, the material manifestation of the two cities and the afterlife of two strikingly different urban layouts offer clear contrasts. 

About the Speaker

Dr Stefan Altekamp is a Reader in Classical Archaeology, the Institute of Archaeology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany. Dr Altekamp has been actively involved in the Excellence Cluster "TOPOI. The Formation and Transformation of Space and Knowledge in Ancient Civilisations". This talk is part of his latest research project ‘Roma and Chang'an. Comparing two imperial capitals’.