Abstract

Modern geographers and sociologists have developed since the early twentieth century theoretical models that could be applied to the analysis of modern urban systems. These models have been established in the attempt to go beyond the simple description of spatial distribution and to understand the process of urbanization and forces at play within and between urban centres.

In this talk I discuss the application of rank-size analysis and rank-size rule, also known as Zipf’s law, to the study of ancient urban systems. Two case studies focusing on the cities of Roman Britain and the Iberian Peninsula will illustrate the methodological approach used, the limits posed by the nature of the datasets available for antiquity, and what this kind of analysis can reveal about urban systems.