From early Mesopotamia to the fates that befell the Roman empire and Aztec civilisation, these 200 mini essays chart the cultural, technological and artistic innovations of the first 5000 years of recorded history, with attractive illustrations.

Charles Phillips is the author of more than 35 books, including The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Aztec and Maya, The Complete Guide to the Catholic Faith, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Islam, The Illustrated History of the First Crusades and many other titles on history, mythology and the arts.