An introduction to the study of ancient history and the career of early man. After considering primitive man in Europe, the focus shifts to the Near East where the reader meets in turn the Egyptians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Persians, and Hebrews. Fuller treatment is given to the Greeks, including their repulse of Persia, the rivalry between Athens and Sparta, and Athens in the Age of Pericles. In dealing with each civilization a sufficient framework of political organization and of historical events is recorded, but the bulk of the space has been devoted to society, industry, commerce, religion, art, and literature.