A close collaboration between an eminent sociologist and an eminent historian, this seminal work shows that sociology is and should be the ally of the historian and vice versa. Taking Egypt and the Ancient East as the subject matter, this analysis of early society seeks to show the beginnings of social order and its first steps onto the ladder that leads to classical civilization of the ancient and modern world. The book covers in a systematic way, both theoretically and historically, totemic organization, individualized and communistic power, the progress from clans to kingdoms, especially in ancient Egypt and the Semitic world, the empires of Iran, and the Barbarian invasions. A stimulating and authoritive study in history and sociology.