How surplus, storage, and shared myths forged elites and deepened inequality across ancient societies.
Ancient elites often taxed themselves locally to bind communities, creating networks of reciprocal debt that boosted collective welfare.
Surprisingly, some early rulers funded large-scale monuments by redistributing labor rather than gold, easing inequality and expanding urban networks.
In early civilizations, elite status sometimes depended on sharing control of irrigation jointly, reducing absolute power through mutual monitoring.
The richest households in early societies frequently owned more land but relied on peasants’ surplus to stabilize prices and social peace.
Ancient elites often taxed themselves locally to bind communities, creating networks of reciprocal debt that boosted collective welfare.
Surprisingly, some early rulers funded large-scale monuments by redistributing labor rather than gold, easing inequality and expanding urban networks.
In early civilizations, elite status sometimes depended on sharing control of irrigation jointly, reducing absolute power through mutual monitoring.
The richest households in early societies frequently owned more land but relied on peasants’ surplus to stabilize prices and social peace.
