Ben Wilson: “Athens’ chaotic image is the secret of its resilience”
. A graduate of Cambridge University, renowned historian, author, and regular contributor to top-tier publications, Ben Wilson delves into the narrative of cities as “humanity’s laboratories and the driving forces of history”. The Somerset Maugham Prize-winning author of “Metropolis” (translated by Violeta Zefki, Dioptra) starts his journey in the world’s first city, Uruk, as portrayed in Gilgamesh’s Epic, and traverses through modern New York, Tokyo, and Los Angeles. In his book “Urban Jungle”, he explores the delicate balance between city and countryside, and the connections between urban spaces and nature (translated by Christodoulos Litharis, Diptra). We had the pleasure of meeting the acclaimed historian in Chania during the 4th Chania Book Festival. He expressed his joy at experiencing this significant Cretan city and promised to return.
– Your book “Metropolis” is inspired by a Greek word, which you discuss at length. Can you explain why the ancient Greek concept of the city is crucial to the symbolic evolution of the city as a beacon of cosmopolitanism?
Indeed, the initial chapters of “Metropolis” delve into the Mesopotamian cities, which arguably laid the groundwork for urban form. However, these cities were influenced by divine elements that dictated their function. It wasn’t until the emergence of Greek cities, particularly Athens, that the concept of the public square — a crucial element for democracy and the discussions it stimulated among citizens — began to take root. This made the Agora the primary gathering place for exchanging ideas and, ultimately, for the functioning of the constitution. Aristotle may have deemed us political animals, but in essence, we are urban animals: it is within the city that we find the notions of citizenship, community membership, and accountability. Therefore, I believe that it was the Greek city that brought a revolutionary dimension to the operation and evolution of cities. From this point, parallel institutions evolved, intricately linked with the public and communal nature of cities, such as the baths in Ancient Rome and later the coffee houses in London. It was the Athenian Agora that facilitated these functions and helped us realize that the history of cities is a tale of institutional evolution, not just architecture and buildings.
When most people think of Athens, the Acropolis probably comes to mind first. However, the city’s true essence is not in its historic structures, but in the vibrant spirit of its people.
“Aristotle may have claimed that we are political animals, but ultimately, we are urban creatures. It’s in the city where we discover the concept of citizenship, community, and accountability. I believe it was the Greek city that added a revolutionary aspect to the function and evolution of cities. From this, parallel institutions emerged, closely tied to the public and communal nature of cities, such as the baths in Ancient Rome and later, the coffee houses in London.”
– You strongly emphasize the importance of Athens’ public spaces, from antiquity to the present. You draw connections between the city squares during times of crisis and the self-governed Navarino Park in the heart of Exarchia, tracing the history of the evolution of public space in the city.
As history is a living entity, we as historians have a responsibility to examine how public spaces are shaped beyond the well-known and often commercially exploited areas. This is especially relevant today as these spaces are increasingly seen as opportunities for profit and commercialization. In a time when public space is more or less viewed as the playground of the wealthy, it’s vital to identify those areas of the city that are truly embraced by its citizens. Only from a grassroots level, from the people themselves, can spaces emerge that will become an integral part of the city. Cities generate energy and evolve in diverse ways over time. History has shown that attempts to create artificial or replica cities have failed because they lack the dynamic energy produced by their inhabitants. I would even go so far as to say that the chaotic nature of Athens is the secret to its strength and success. Real cities have a knack for adapting to the times, and that’s what I aimed to illustrate in “Metropolis”.
– Yet, you seem to place significant emphasis on the various symbolisms of each city and their personal narratives. In addition to Athens, your research also delves into the history of Babylon, a city often associated with sin and decadence. However, you argue that it was a beacon of cosmopolitanism and maintained its grandeur even after its empire fell to the Persians.
Indeed, my interest in Babylon stems from how it’s been represented in mainstream narratives. The ancient Greeks often depicted Mesopotamian cities as despotic and indulgent, a portrayal that has significantly impacted Western artistic tradition. This is evident in 19th-century artworks like Delacroix’s “Death of Sardanapalus,” which encapsulates the explicit and lascivious images associated with the city. Essentially, the Jewish view of Babylon as a secular metropolis of sin and lawlessness – the antithesis of Jerusalem – has shaped perceptions of other great cities like Rome, casting them as hubs of temptation and secularism where God is scorned. It’s unfortunate that Babylon’s cosmopolitanism and cultural diversity are still seen negatively, with the city often likened to the corrupt city of Babel. Babylon has been transformed into a faceless, monstrous entity in collective narratives, a paradoxical construct that incites fear, as depicted in John Martin’s engraving “The Fall of Babylon.” Despite this, it’s this Babylonian perspective that lends cities their unpredictability, allure, and vibrancy.
– On a practical note, you argue that Babylon’s urban organization offers insights into how future cities could function. You note that Babylon, famous for its gardens, also developed canals and water systems. While these innovations created natural spaces, they also led to pollution and sewage. Isn’t it these contradictions that add to a city’s charm?
Absolutely, cities inherently possess a creative and experimental energy that can be both beneficial and destructive. To me, an ideal city is one where the contradictions of history are visibly etched into its diverse architectural styles, which are never one-dimensional. Whenever I visit a city and see a building, my first thought isn’t about its past, but rather its future. I envision what it will look like in a century, how its inhabitants will have transformed it, and the stories they will tell. It is through the so-called functional contradictions that cities thrive. The cities that fail are those that avoid mistakes and resist change. Those that have stood the test of time are the ones that have evolved, adapted, and transformed in response to their circumstances. What makes a city intriguing is how it absorbs these changes and exhibits resilience amidst its contradictions.
– Interestingly, you challenge conventional beliefs, like discussing the “barbaric” and “uncivilized” Crusaders who had their sights set on Constantinople.
I’m not sure if the key is to challenge established interpretations and perceptions – that’s not my primary aim. Rather, it’s about exploring the multifaceted nature of history. That’s precisely why we study history: to delve into various perspectives and interpretations, and to remain open to questioning them.
– Yet despite being a rigorous historian, you often employ cross-disciplinary approaches, drawing on various artistic genres, from paintings to novels, to highlight these diverse facets of history. For instance, your description of the wrecked ship of Belitug, named after the island where it was discovered, carrying goods destined for the opulent bazaars of what was likely the largest and wealthiest city from the 6th century AD onwards, Baghdad, is almost poetic. In the end, beauty is as essential as the necessity of nature described in “The Urban Jungle”.
. Absolutely, cities are not inherently beautiful; they become beautiful through the narratives we weave around them, blending myth and reality. The novel, which embodies poetic expression, is another means of studying a city’s history and observing its transformations. Consider the romantic fascination with nature that dominated the 19th century, birthing poetry that starkly contrasted with the urban landscape, until it became evident that these are not opposing forces but intertwined. Nature has been harnessed by humans in the growth of cities, often with significant consequences, sometimes even posing a threat to citizens due to polluted water and the introduction of foreign species. The stories of crocodiles in New York’s sewers, for example, are chilling. Indeed, after witnessing the extensive environmental damage, we’ve come to appreciate the importance of preserving nature and the wild elements within our cities. Particularly among the youth, there’s a growing trend of creatively repurposing public parks from mere recreational spaces into thriving ecosystems. It’s fascinating to see the innovative ways in which nature is being harnessed, such as transforming old railway tracks into dynamic ecosystems or converting entire bridges into lush jungles. If I were younger, I would have loved to live in a city like Berlin, renowned for its unique blend of urban and natural landscapes, offering both solitude and social interaction. It’s also intriguing how the city has managed to reshape its war-torn past into something new and vibrant.
– In your book, you often criticize the concept of isolated large parks, private gardens, and so-called “clean” solutions, advocating instead for a more integrated approach to greenery in the urban landscape, even amid concrete.
Yes, I firmly believe in the importance of cities cultivating their own integrated ecosystems. Thankfully, we’re seeing this in practice, with gardens sprouting amidst concrete, resulting in urban landscapes buzzing with bees in city centers. Look at the transformations in Los Angeles and Atlanta, where flyover projects have been successful, or in Essex, where an abandoned oil refinery has been converted into a rainforest teeming with rare plants and insects. It’s remarkable how many unexpected places hide potential solutions and how many eclectic microhabitats can be found in New York City, from vacant lots and bridges to buildings and even highway islands. As a journalist, you’re well aware that we live in a volatile, stressful world, and it’s crucial to find silver linings for the younger generations who are often filled with pessimism. That’s why I intentionally focused on cities that have faced the worst adversities, like Warsaw, which has been completely devastated and traumatized multiple times, yet has managed to endure and triumph. This resilience and adaptability is a testament to human spirit and provides reassurance that cities will find the strength to overcome challenges and adapt to changing times. Despite the prevailing gloom, wars, and suffocation, there is always room for alternative solutions, good news, and hope for a brighter future. “Each of us must tend to our own garden,” Voltaire once said, infusing his words with layers of meaning. He understood that it all begins with the personal ‘garden’ that each of us can nurture. This is our way of resisting the world around us and demonstrating the potential we possess to improve not only our own lives, but also the lives of others.
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This article was originally published in the print edition of LiFO.
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