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The Earliest Civilizations Of Mankind
Author：卜可Published：November 27, 2023Updated：February 5, 2026
The kingship『descend from heaven 』February 28, 2026Why did the Sumerian king table say that "kingship descends from heaven"? This paper interprets the origin of the earliest human mythology of kingship, Eridu, Alulim, the Great Flood and the concept of divine kingship.
Ur III DynastyMarch 5, 2026The Third Dynasty of Ur was the last golden age of Sumerian civilization. It was established by Ulnam, unified the two river basins, revived culture and beliefs, promulgated the earliest known written code, and was eventually destroyed by Elam.
Humanity’s earliest writingMarch 4, 2026Where did the earliest human writing systems originate? How did cuneiform evolve from pictographic symbols into a fully developed script? This article focuses on the origins of writing and the threshold of civilization.
Gaxitte Babylonian DynastyMarch 5, 2026After the evacuation of the Hittites, the Gachts occupied Babylon to establish the Third Dynasty (1530-1157), continuing the Babylonian culture, which was eventually destroyed by the Elamese and ended their rule.
Shamsh-Adad I and the Kingdom of AssyriaMarch 5, 2026Shamsh-Adad I (the Amorites) captured the Assyrian and Mare regions, established the Assyrian kingdom, and controlled the trade in the upper reaches of the two river basins. Although the empire collapsed after his death, it laid the foundation for Assyrian civilization.
The demise of Sumerian civilizationMarch 5, 2026The Third Dynasty of Ur was destroyed by the Elamites in 2004 BCE, marking the complete demise of Sumerian civilization. Neither its language nor its political institutions survived, thus bringing a tragic end to one of humanity’s earliest civilizations.
The Code of UlnumMarch 5, 2026The Code of Urnum is the earliest known written law in the world, promulgated in the Third Dynasty of Ur, pioneered the rule of law, improved the principle of "tit for tat", and profoundly influenced later codes (including the Code of Hammurabi).
The Fall of AkkadMarch 5, 2026After the death of Nalamshin, the Akkad Empire declined rapidly and perished under the internal and external rebellion and barbarian invasion. The first empire in human history ended and the two rivers returned to the city-state era.
Epic of GilgameshMarch 5, 2026The Epic of Gilgamesh is the earliest written literature in the world. It tells the adventures of the kings of Uruk, Gilgamesh and Enkidu, including the story of the Great Flood, which has a profound impact on later civilizations and myths.
Sargon and the Akkadian EmpireMarch 5, 2026King Sargon of Akkad brought an end to the chaotic warfare among the Sumerian city-states and established the first multi-ethnic, centralized empire in human history—the Akkadian Empire. He unified the Mesopotamian region and ushered in the era of empires in Western Asia.
The Mausoleum of King Ur and the "Ur Army Flag"March 5, 2026The tomb of King Ur is the most important archaeological discovery of the early Sumerian dynasty. The tomb of Queen Puabi, the remains of martyrs, the bull's head harp and the Ur military flag were unearthed, showing the glory and cruelty of the Sumerian civilization 4500 years ago.
The first wheel and plowMarch 4, 2026Where were the wheel and plough first invented? How did the Sumerians move from the pottery wheel to the wheel and plough? This article describes the origin and influence of the two key human technologies.
The establishment of the Roman RepublicMarch 7, 2026In 509 BC, Rome bid farewell to the royal government and opened a republic. An in-depth analysis of Polybius's theory of "mixed polity" and Monson's "peer-to-peer, annual" logic of checks and balances. Learn how Roman citizens, through power design, prevented the re-birth of the despotic monarchy.
The Battle of ThermopylaeMarch 20, 2026In 480 BC, the Battle of Thermopylae erupted. Led by King Leonidas, a force of several thousand Greek allies held the narrow pass against overwhelming odds, delaying the Persian army and buying crucial time for the Greek coalition to regroup and ultimately turn the tide. This epic stand has since become a legendary chapter in military history.
Themistocles built the Athenian navy.March 20, 2026Themistocles used the revenues from the Laurion silver mines to build the Athenian fleet, construct ports and fortifications, and lay the foundations of Athens’ maritime supremacy. Yet in his later years, he was subjected to ostracism and died in exile in Persia.
The First Punic War ended.March 18, 2026After the defeat of Carthage in the Battle of Egardi in 241 BC, Rome ended the first Punic War in 23 years through the Peace of Catullus, taking control of Sicily and becoming the overlord of the Western Mediterranean.
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