In history, we call antiquity or Ancient Age the historical period whose beginning coincides with the emergence of the first great civilizations of humanity, such as Egyptian, Babylonian, Persian, Roman, Greek and others. We refer then to what thousands and thousands of years ago, were the first cities of Man.
The interesting thing is that in many of these incredible ancient cities people still live, walking through the same streets, under the same sky and before the same charm of the remains of buildings that date from several years before the Common Era (a. ). Come with me to see 7 great examples.
#Number 7
• Patras, Greece, founded in 1100 a. E.C.
Patras (Πάτραι Pátrai) began to settle near 1100 a. E.C., in Ancient Greece, the true cradle of thought. The metropolis was born as a result of the union of three small Ionian villages: Aroe (Αρόη), Antheia (Ανθεία) and Mesatis (Μεσάτις), before the conquest of Aqueo, escaping from Sparta. Today, it is the third largest city in Greece, has 250,000 inhabitants who still live in the city and is a cultural and historical center evidently significant. In 2006, it was named European Capital of Culture.
#Number 6
• Kutaisi, Georgia, founded in 1400 a. E.C.
Kutaisi (ქუთაისი) is one of the oldest cities still inhabited by what is now Georgia and one of the largest historical figures in the world. It was a very important city during the reign of antiquity, especially that of Colchis. Founded around 1400 a. C, is currently home to 185,965 inhabitants.
#Number 5
• Tire, Lebanon, founded in 2500 a. E.C.
Tire (صور) is an ancient port city that was founded by the Phoenicians in 2500 BC. E. C., where even in our days some 117,100 people live. Today it belongs to Lebanon, being in the south of the country, on the shores of the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. This strategic geographical location turned it into the scene of hundreds of events of enormous historical value, it was the most important city of the Phoenician civilization, besieged by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar II and later conquered by Alexander the Great, being an invaluable historical jewel in life.
#Number 4
• Sidon, Lebanon, founded in 3000 a. E.C.
Sidon (صيدا Ṣaydā), also today belonging to Lebanon, is even older, having been founded in 3000 a. E. C. Indeed, it is another of the oldest cities in the world where modern man still lives, although it has only about 10,000 inhabitants. What was another important Phoenician settlement, today is the third largest city in Lebanon and is also located on the Mediterranean coast.
#Number 3
• Argos, Greece, founded in 5000 a. E.C.
Argos (Άργος) was founded no less than in 5000 a. E.C., in Ancient Greece. It is not only the oldest city in Greece but one of the oldest in Europe and the whole world where people still live. Remembered especially for being the city where many of the heroes of the Trojan War grew up, today this city of the Peloponnese is truly mythical.
#Number 2
• Byblos, Lebanon, founded in 6000 a. E.C.
Returning to Lebanon, Byblos (جبيل Ŷubayl), founded a thousand years before Argos, in 6000 BC. E. C., is even more surprising. What is even more interesting is that today people continue to live there, leaving a striking vision that combines modernity and ancient history in an exemplary way. In numerous mythological accounts, it is said that the small city was created by none other than Cronos himself.
#Number 1
• Jericho, West Bank, founded in 9000 a. E.C.
Reaching the top of the list, the mythical Jericho (יְרִיחוֹ) was founded around 9000 BC. E.C., and even today, people live there, which is worthy of deep admiration. Today it belongs to the territory of the West Bank, a few kilometers from the Jordan River. With constructions of several thousand years that are still inhabited, this is undoubtedly the city of greatest historical inhabited value that we know. Some historians have shown that there are buildings and structures still standing that are more than 10,000 years old. Just seeing the image is enough to understand the priceless value of Jericho.
Surprising, do not you think? What other ancient cities like these do you know? Would you add any other to the list?