Lessons from the past: an Introduction

Kingship descends from heaven: the urban revolution before 4000 BCE

The City of Gilgamesh: temple rule between c. 4000 and 3000 BCE

The flood: a Caesura in history

Big men and kings: the city-states, c. 3000 to 2300 BCE

Rulers of the four quarters: the bronze heroic age, c. 2300 to 2200 BCE

Sumer resurgent: the Dirigiste state, c. 2100 to 2000 BCE

Old Babylon: the culmination, c. 1900 to 1600 BCE

Empire of Ashur: colossus of the first millennium, c. 1800 BCE to 700 BCE

Passing the baton: an end and a beginning after 700 BCE.