# Of the Rise and Progress of Cities and Towns, After the Fall of the Roman Empire explained — The Wealth of Nations > Chapter companion for The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith. ## What happens This chapter examines the emergence and development of cities and towns in Europe following the collapse of the Roman Empire. It contrasts the servile origins of urban inhabitants with the later attainment of liberty and independence, driven by mutual interests between kings and burghers against the nobility. The chapter details how towns secured privileges, self-governance, and economic growth through trade, manufacturing, and the protection of sovereigns, ultimately leading to the rise of representative government and the establishment of order and security in urban centers. ## Themes in this chapter ### Historical Development of Society The chapter traces the evolution of cities from servile origins to independent entities, highlighting the shift from feudal to commercial society. ### Role of Government Discusses how sovereigns granted privileges and self-governance to towns to secure their support against the nobility, establishing order and security. ### Free Trade and Market Competition Describes how towns engaged in trade and manufacturing, drawing resources from distant countries and fostering economic growth. ### Social Class and Inequality Contrasts the servile condition of early townspeople with the later liberty and wealth of burghers, and their conflict with the nobility. ## Character check-ins ### The Romans Referenced as the empire whose fall led to the conditions described. ### The Proprietors Described as living in fortified castles after the fall of the Roman Empire. ### The Masters Mentioned as lords who controlled the servile inhabitants of towns and later opposed the burghers. ### Great Britain Referenced as an example where sovereign authority was never destroyed, limiting city independence. ### The French Mentioned in the context of France's sovereign authority and the origin of burgh representation. ### The Dutch Referenced in the context of the Hanseatic league and trade. ### The Italians Mentioned as cities in Italy that became independent republics. ### The Swiss Referenced as cities in Switzerland that became independent republics. ## Key lines > The inhabitants of cities and towns were, after the fall of the Roman empire, not more favoured than those of the country. After Rome's collapse, city dwellers were no better off than rural peasants. _Sets the initial condition of urban inhabitants._ > The towns were chiefly inhabited by tradesmen and mechanics, who seem in those days to have been of servile, or very nearly of servile condition. Towns were mostly populated by craftsmen and merchants who were almost like slaves. _Describes the low social status of early townspeople._ > The burghers themselves frequently got credit enough to be admitted to farm the revenues of this sort which arose out of their own town, they becoming jointly and severally answerable for the whole rent. Town residents often gained enough trust to collect the town's taxes themselves, taking full responsibility for the total amount. _Illustrates the growing independence and financial capability of towns._ > Order and good government, and along with them the liberty and security of individuals, were, in this manner, established in cities, at a time when the occupiers of land in the country were exposed to every sort of violence. Cities achieved order, good governance, and personal freedom while rural landowners still faced constant violence. _Highlights the contrast between urban and rural conditions._ > If in the hands of a poor cultivator, oppressed with the servitude of villanage, some little stock should accumulate, he would naturally conceal it with great care from his master, to whom it would otherwise have belonged, and take the first opportunity of running away to a town. A poor farmer who saved a bit of wealth would hide it from his lord and flee to a town at the first chance. _Explains the migration of capital to cities._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wealth_of_nations_se/chapters/iii-of-the-rise-and-progress-of-cities-and-towns-after-the-fall-of-the-roman-empire - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wealth_of_nations_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wealth_of_nations_se/chapters