6. Hangzhou
Hangzhou, 1200, more than 1 million inhabitants. This city was located to the south of the Great Chinese Canal. The city was a major trading center and capital during the last stage of the Song dynasty. The traveler Marco Polo, who visited Hangzhou in the late 13th century, wrote that it is the most beautiful and magnificent city in the world. The Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta, who visited Hangzhou in 1345, said that this is the largest city he saw. Alas, with the decline of the Song Dynasty, the city lost its commercial importance, and its population dispersed throughout China.
7. Kaifeng
Kaifeng, 1000 year, 1 million inhabitants. The city was built near the Great Chinese Canal and for a long time, it was the capital of the Song dynasty. By the year 1000, Kaifeng was the most industrialized city on earth. There were many forges, shops, bars, theaters. Since there were not enough forests nearby, it was in Kaifeng that they first decided to burn charcoal. Between 1102 and 1106 years, twenty new coal markets were opened in the city.
8. Chang’an
Chang’an, 600 year, 600 thousand inhabitants. Located in the northern part of China, this city served as the capital for more than ten dynasties. He became the largest city in the world in the era of the Sui dynasty (581 – 618 years). By the year 700, the number of Chang’an residents had reached one million. The city was a real architectural masterpiece. Its layout resembled a chessboard, and the boulevards were five times wider than the widest street in modern New York. Chang’an declined to the end of the Tang Dynasty in the 10th century. Today in the place of Chang’an is the city of Xian.
9. Constantinople
Constantinople, 500 years, 450 thousand inhabitants. The current Turkish Istanbul became the capital of the Roman Empire in 324. By the year 500, when the empire fell, it was the largest city on its wreckage. In 537, Emperor Justinian erected on this site the famous Cathedral of St. Sophia. By 700 the population of the city had decreased to 100 thousand people, but then it began to grow again. In the 18th century, Constantinople once again became one of the largest cities in the world.
10. Rome
Rome, 100 BC. e., 400 thousand inhabitants. This city was founded in the 8th century BC. e., and already to the 2nd century BC. E. virtually controlled the entire Mediterranean region. The conquest of Caesar by Gaul in the 1st century BC. e. led to the formation of the Roman Empire. The ruins of Ancient Rome are a world-famous landmark. Probably everyone at least once heard about the Coliseum, which could hold up to 80 thousand spectators at the same time. As of the year 100 BC. e. in Rome lived about 400 thousand inhabitants. After 200 years, in 100 AD, the population was a million people. It remained the most populated city in the world until the 4th century when the Western Roman Empire was destroyed.
