About the Institute
Who we are, how we work, and how to reach us.
The Epoch Institute researches human civilisation with objectivity and curiosity: the rise and fall of states, empires and cultures, the present-day echoes of historical events, and the ways the past shapes modern society. We aim to make the story of humanity not just informative but compelling. History is not a closed book; it is the foundation of everything around us.
How we work
- Profiles are written from the works listed in each profile’s references and checked for accuracy; every page shows when it was last reviewed.
- Power scores (0–10) are the Institute’s interpretive judgements of a state’s strength over time, based on those works. Each curve is scaled to its own peak: compare the shapes, not the sizes.
- The encyclopedia and the states register are compiled by the Institute. Pictures come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences, credited under each one.
- Maps place each state at its capital or seat, from Wikidata (CC0), on Natural Earth outlines (public domain).
Get in touch
Spotted an error? Want to suggest a state or a theme, write for us, or work with us? Every message reaches the research team.
Contact the Institute →Write for the Institute
Historians, students and curious readers write for the Institute: essays for the Community pages, research for new profiles, and corrections that keep the work accurate.