《城市发展史》笔下的罗马城是古典城市糟糕形象的代表。但若从城市管理审视,则发现面对这个古代世界的大都市,罗马人不仅有管理意识,而且能够建立法规,设立管理机构,取得了成效,甚至在上层人士眼中罗马城是令人向往的地方。事实上,芒福德所指的是帝国时期罗马城在物质上过度扩张造成文化的衰败,城市终因丧失了精神本质走向死亡的。这说明对于罗马城“死亡之城”形象的认识一定要结合具体的语境,以免流于片面。 The city of Rome in the “History of the City” is the representative of the bad image of the classical city. However, judging from urban management, it is found that in the metropolis facing this ancient world, the Romans not only have the sense of management, but also establish laws and regulations, set up management agencies, and achieved success. Even in the eyes of upper-class people, Rome is desirable local. In fact, Mumford refers to the decay of culture caused by material over-expansion of the Roman Empire in the Empire, and the city eventually lost its spiritual essence to death. This shows that the understanding of the image of the City of Death in Rome must be context-specific so as to avoid being one-sided.