History Summarized In A Future History

See previous post.

To demonstrate that history is unpredictable, Laurinda summarizes it.

The Neolithic Revolution:

cultivated wilderness;
fed larger populations;
founded towns;
built smithies;
transformed free hunters into peasants ruled by god-kings.

Pharaohs were laid to a supposedly eternal rest, then thieves plundered their tombs.

The Persian Empire split, then fell to Alexander who died young, then his empire split.

Christians killed each other four centuries after Jesus had entered Jerusalem.

A peaceful period in Japan gave way to war lords. Chinese dynasties claimed the Mandate of Heaven and lost it. The Mongols ruled half a continent and lost it. Remnants of their rule became Tsardom and Islam. A few Spaniards defeated the Aztecs and Incas. The wealth transferred to Europe energized Northern countries but made Spain tyrannical and corrupt.

The French Revolution led to Napoleon. Sun Yat-sen led to Chang Kai-shek and Mao. Modern weapons brought a stalemate that destroyed four empires and killed tens of millions. There was a Second World War and a Cold War. Superstitions coexisted with science.

Nine thousand years is longer than written records.

There is a quiet passage when Laurinda sits in an empty church. Such buildings can be used for meditation and reflection long after they have ceased to be places of worship.