Themes

	Title	theme
1	Ötzi the Iceman	Familial bonds, and the roles of men and women in a familial setting in a primitive society. Tensions resulting from conflicts over territory and resources, leading to betrayal and violence.
2	Abraham	The exploration of faith, particularly monotheistic belief, as exemplified by Abraham’s readiness to sacrifice his son Isaac. - The indication of the start of a new era where faith will become a strong force shaping the world.
3	The School of Scribes at Thebes	The Power of Knowledge: The chapter emphasizes the idea of knowledge as a transformative power and the importance of making it accessible to all levels of society. Educational Institutions: The chapter highlights the importance and function of the Schools and institutions of learning
4	Moses	The importance of divine law: God's commandments, as revealed to Moses, are not seen as simple rules, but instead as eternal principles woven into the universe's fabric that form the basis of a righteous society The establishment of societal structure through law
5	Pericles	The question of true justice, cast into doubt by the differing perceptions of Dike and Harmonia. The political and social themes of democracy and equality as seen in Pericles’ and Alcaeus' contrasting views on democracy and societal structures.
6	Vellum makers	The importance of manual labor in preserving knowledge Dedication to craft, striving for perfection
7	Theophrastus	The importance of preserving wisdom and knowledge for future generations The profound influence of great thinkers, such as Aristotle, on future generations
8	Tyrannio the elder and Diocles	The importance of historical context and preservation of knowledge The responsibility for translating works accurately and faithfully.
9	A Baptism in the Jordan	The idea of transformative love that transcends mere affection and passion Love is not just an emotion, but a powerful force that can reshape communities and the world.
10	Seneca the Younger	The resilience of the human spirit and the quest for wisdom during times of adversity The incorruptibility and immortality of wisdom
11	The Imperial Library Of Constantinople	Knowledge preservation and intellectual legacy The tension between intellectual pursuits and statecraft.
12	The Night of Power	The birth of Islam Harmony as an outcome of unity and a key goal for humanity
13	House of Wisdom, Baghdad	The importance of knowledge preservation and transfer across cultures and through time. The concept of knowledge being a critical human endeavor, transcending cultures and even religions.
14	The library of the Great Mosque of Córdoba	The preservation of knowledge and wisdom across languages and cultures, and the role of scholars and institutions in safeguarding this legacy. The fragility of knowledge and its enduring nature
15	The Toledo School of Translators	The cyclic nature of knowledge and the challenge of uniting different beliefs. Illustrating the exchange of knowledge and ideas between them.
16	The Spinning Wheel	Advancements in printing: Paper, essential for printing, became cheaper and more available Continual change and progression: The world continually evolves, with every aspect linked to another, and every change leading to another.
17	Münster, Madness and Magdeburg	The shift of power from individuals to nations, symbolized by the treaty negotiations. The creation of the modern nation state
18	The Treaty of Westphalia	Exploration of the complicated political systems The evolution and growth of societal structures with forward-looking prospects
19	The French Revolution	The quest for understanding amidst political and social upheaval. The struggle to maintain hope and resilience in face of uncertainty.
20	Mary Wollstonecraft	The struggle of women's rights and gender equality. The idea that an individual's efforts can influence future generations and be seeds for substantial societal change.
21	Before the Dawn	The necessity of spiritual guidance and grounding, respectively, to properly steward the coming wave of knowledge and truth. Revelation and divine truth: The concept of divine revelation as an ongoing, living process is explored. Miller and Siyyid Kázim both see patterns in history that suggest a forthcoming revelation.
22	A Tea Serving in Shiraz	Revelations and spiritual awakenings leading to new eras in human existence. The persistence of profound change regardless of human awareness or understanding.
23	Daedalus	The Evolution of Technology and Humanity: Demonstrated through the presence of the telegraph invention, this theme speaks to how human invention and technology continue to evolve, surpassing even the knowledge and abilities of the gods. Revelation and Enlightenment: The chapter focuses on the concept of revelation, suggesting that enlightenment and understanding are an ongoing process, building on each new advancement or idea.
24	Declaration of Sentiments	The power of the written word and the role of the printing press in spreading ideas for social change. The importance of the Declaration of Sentiments as a call to action against gender inequality and oppression.
25	The Maid of Heaven	The Omnipotent being’s return and the ensuing transformation of the Universe. Notable shift in societal norms towards justice and equality, such as movements against slavery, and towards women's rights and labor unions.
26	The unsent letter	The notion of a new order emerging from the power of conviction and the shared desire for equity and justice. The assertion that the power to bring forth a new world comes not from commanding or defining it, but from assisting its existence.
27	The Nobel Prize	The shift in societal perceptions and expectations - from celebrating conquerors to honoring peacemakers The potential of individuals or humanity to shape the future, not only through legislation but also through the establishment of collective memory
28	In the Shadow of Tolstoy	The struggle to strip religious ideas of mysticism and refocus them as a moral framework. The conflict between seeing progress in fighting injustices and the inability for many to recognize that progress
29	SOLAS	The necessity for global cooperation and consistency in ensuring safety and legal compliance across borders. The resolute hope that despite setbacks and challenges, mankind will learn and progress towards universal safety and equality
30	The League of Nations	Commentary around the cyclical nature of failure, success, and the destiny of humanity. The first understanding that global solutions are possible with global action
31	SS America	The results of global agreements to shape industry with regards to safety as a global standard The theme of progress, reflected in both the design of the ship and the international cooperation that resulted in SOLAS.
32	Bretton Woods Conference	The founding of a new global financial system at the Bretton Woods Conference aimed at creating international monetary stability and economic growth The contrast between abstract economic discussions about global stability and the real implications on ordinary people's lives
33	The United Nations	Depiction of the global significance of the San Francisco Conference and its aspirations for peace and international cooperation. Building a global order based on the international collaboration
33	To the Glory of God	The inaugural meeting of the United Nations General Assembly as a symbol of global unity and aspiration for peace. Harmonia’s victory over Eris; Eris’s defeat and retreat, symbolizing peace's triumph over discord.
34	An Olympic Accounting	humanity's potential to shape their own future with a promising tree representing their growth towards justice and unity. An optimistic future ushers a world of technologically driven humane practices where conquest and colonialism fade into history.
35	Epilogue	The potential for global progression and evolution towards a more peaceful era. The importance of long-term perspective to understand the historical and future arc of humanity.