Final answer:
Upon visiting Auckland, Egan is mesmerized by the size and scope of the city, never having seen such a vast civilization, echoing historical accounts of awe when encountering new landscapes.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Egan first visits Auckland, he is overwhelmed by the civilization he encounters, having never seen a city of over a million people. Auckland's vastness and the complexity of human creation captivate him, as he experiences civilization and urban life buzzing with activity and wonder.
Similar feelings of awe and amazement are noted in historical and literary texts describing the encounter with new landscapes or cities. For instance, the chronicles of Bernal Diaz de Castillo display a sense of wonder upon seeing the Aztec capital.
Descriptions of majestic mountains, endless deserts, and seas of trees often accompany the discovery of new and breathtaking environments, paralleling Egan's amazement at the grandeur and scale of Auckland.