Empires have always built cities in their image. From Ancient Persia to the Third Reich, imperial powers have sought to reflect their power and influence through a show of magnificence and a reflection of their values. The transposition to stone of the whole imperial edifice has been found throughout the ages to be an effective way both of overawing the populace and intimidating its opponents. It can take the form of statues, pictures, temples, palaces, and grand edifices of many sorts. All combine to produce the necessary justification for the wielding of power. It is in the city as the centre of power that all these things can most effectively be brought together and combined into a powerful statement. It is there also that the power displayed can be wielded to greatest advantage.
Geoffrey Parker breaks new ground by tracing the very nature of power right through history exploring the symbolism of these empire-reflecting cities from Persopolis to Constantinople, St Petersburg, The Forbidden City in Beijing and Delhi. Considering the imperial leaders as well as their architect and engineers he creates a new understanding of the relationship between buildings, design, and power. The book concludes with an examination of the changing nature of power in the late 20th and 21st centuries and the way in which this is reflected in contemporary symbolism.
