Rise and Fall

An excavation of ten world civilisations and their incredible stories of success and eventual decline. What makes a civilisation successful, what allows it to last thousands of years, and what causes of its eventual downfall? In this volatile world that we live in, there are many fascinating lessons to be learned from the great empires that once ruled it. Rise and Fall brings a collection of ten world empires to life. Some, like the Vikings and the Incans, you may have heard of. Others, like the Benin, Kakamura or Ayutthayan empires are less well known today but in their time were immensely powerful and seemingly undefeatable. Peter Allen, author of Atlas of Amazing Architecture (Cicada, 2021) illuminates the stories with his trademark detail- and humour-packed illustrations. From the grandeur of Malian mosques to the mysteries of the Minoans, meet the ingenious architects, daring explorers, and ingenious inventors who shaped the course of civilization. Discover how they built towering monuments, charted the stars, and unlocked the secrets of science, all without the conveniences of our modern world. Young readers are taken on a captivating journey through the sands of time, unlocking the secrets of remarkable cultures that once thrived on our planet.