Cities in the Sand

Aubrey Menen (1912-1989) was an English writer of Irish and Indian parentage, who wrote fiction (essays and novels). He also wrote some works of non-fiction, such as Rome Revealed (1960) and Venice (1976).

Cities in the Sand - which is under review here - was published by Thames & Hudson in the UK in 1972 and by the Dial Press in the US in 1973.

There are 272 pages. The main text is divided into 32 chapters which cover different topics, places or persons: the history of the Phoenicians, the history of the Romans, brief biographies of several Roman emperors (Septimius Severus, Caracalla, etc.), and descriptions of four ancient cities (Leptis Magna in Libya, Palmyra in Syria, Petra in Jordan and Timgad in Algeria). These are the “Cities in the Sand.”

The text is illustrated by 184 illustrations: a chart of the alphabet, a map of the Mediterranean world, three drawings, a plan of Palmyra, and 178 photos (20 in colour). The colour photos are fabulous. I wish all photos in the book had been in colour.

The book includes a chronological table, a bibliography, and an index.

The author has visited several ancient sites, including the four “cities in the sand,” and he tells us what he thinks about them: he likes Leptis Magna, because it is noble; he likes Palmyra, because it is rich; and he likes Petra, because it is a creative miracle. He does not like Timgad, because it is boring and dull.

He lived in Rome for several years and seems to be familiar with the world of ancient history, but if you take a closer look, you will find that there are some flaws in his book:

(1) He thinks the arch of Septimius Severus in Leptis Magna was built by the emperor (page 71).

The arch was built by members of the city council, who wanted to honour the boy from Leptis who had become emperor. It is likely that construction began around 194, as soon the news about Septimius had reached the city. The arch was probably completed by 202, when the emperor visited his home town.

(2) He says we do not know if Septimius returned to his home town as emperor.

We know he visited Leptis Magna in the winter of 202-203 and he brought his family along: his wife Julia Domna and his sons, Geta and Caracalla.

(3) He says reliefs from the arch were discovered buried in the sand, which is true. Then he adds that “they are now in the Bardo Museum in Tunis.”

The reliefs are in the National Museum in Tripoli. Two of them appear in the book (illustration # 54 and 56, page 76). The photo credits at the end of the book (page 264) give the correct location.

(4) He says Septimius Severus was born in AD 146 (page 117).

The future emperor was born on 11 April 145.

(5) He says the Roman fleet was stationed at “Misenium” (page 135).

The ancient name of this place is Misenum.

(6) The caption to illustration # 117 on page 162 reads: 
 

“A marble bust of the 3rd century, believed to be a portrait of Julia Mamaea, the ambitious mother of Elagabalus.”

The mother of Elagabalus was Julia Soaemias, as Menen explains on page 156. Julia Mamaea was the mother of Alexander Severus, as Menen explains of page 163.

(7) He says the ancient name of Timgad is “Colonia Marciana Traiana Thaumagas” (page 179).

The ancient name is Colonia Marciana Ulpia Traiana Thamugadi.

(8) He thinks Trajan’s Arch in Timgad was built by Trajan, who ruled 98-117.

While the arch is named after Trajan, it was built long after his time: perhaps 166-169, during the reign of Marcus Aurelius (161-180); perhaps in the beginning of the third century AD.

(9) He thinks most of the inhabitants of ancient Timgad were legionaries who were dreaming about their retirement.

The first inhabitants of this town were former soldiers (veterans), who had served twenty years in the army.

(10) He says the style of Trajan’s Arch is boring. Then he adds: 
 

“Even Queen Victoria did better when she ordered the Marble Arch in London.”

Construction of Marble Arch began in 1827, during the reign of George IV, who ruled 1820-1830. It was completed in 1833, during the reign of William IV, who ruled 1830-1837. Victoria was born in 1819 and she was the queen of England for several decades (1837-1901), but she had nothing to do with the construction of this arch.

(11) In chapter 32 about Petra (which is much too short) he says: “There is an amphitheatre, a forum, a market place, a gymnasium…” (p. 258).

There is no amphitheatre in Petra, but there is a theatre. Illustration # 178 is a great colour picture of this ancient monument. The caption says: “a view of the theatre.” The photo credits at the end of the book (page 269) have the same information.

Cities in the Sand was published ca. forty years ago. Obviously it is not up-to-date on every aspect. But as you can see, my criticism does not concern the age of the book. I only point out flaws which the author could (and should) have corrected before sending the manuscript to the printer.

This book is, in many ways, an interesting account of life in the ancient world – we can see “the splendor and the lunacy of the Ancient World,” as the US publisher says on the dust jacket of the US edition - but for reasons explained above I cannot give it more than three stars.

PS. For more information about the four ancient cities, see Libya: The Lost Cities of the Roman Empire (about Leptis Magna); The Monuments of Syria: A Guide (about Palmyra); The North African Stones Speak (about Timgad); and Petra: Splendors of the Nabataean Civilization (about the ancient city in Jordan).

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Aubrey Menen,

Cities in the Sand,

Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1972 

The Dial Press, New York, 1973, 272 pages

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