Final answer:
The question likely refers to historically significant cities such as Constantinople, Alexandria, and Teotihuacan, which were known for their immense wealth and large populations during their respective eras in history.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question refers to a city that played a significant role in the ancient world due to its wealth and size. Several cities could match this description. Constantinople, known for its splendor, was a prime example. It was the largest city in Europe and the Mediterranean at the time, with around a million people in the late eighth century, and lay at the heart of East/West trade.
The city had a well-functioning cash economy, strong defensive fortifications, and abundant resources, making it immensely wealthy.
Alexandria, another contender, was the largest Hellenistic city and the capital of the Ptolemaic kingdom in Egypt. It boasted a population of around one million. This city was home to the famous Museon and the Alexandrian Library, becoming a center for scientific research and literary studies.
The ancient Americas also showcased Teotihuacan and Tenochtitlan, both very large and prosperous in their time. Teotihuacan, for instance, had an estimated 200,000 inhabitants and controlled a significant portion of the obsidian market, which contributed to its affluence.
Other noteworthy cities like Antioch, Nineveh, and Amsterdam at different times were also among the richest and most substantial cities of their respective eras.