‘In "The First Great Powers", Babylonian and Assyrian civilizations come into sharp focus. [This book] will inspire general readers to look further into these fascinating civilizations, and perhaps come to a new understanding of their importance to our own society.’

- Asian Review of Books,

'A highly readable and engaging account about the world’s first imperial powers, and their legacy. Its exciting stories of eminent kings, powerful deities and pivotal events are often full of unexpected turns.'

- Amar Annus, Associate Professor of Near Eastern Religious History at the School of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Tartu, Estonia,

‘A useful book. Undaunted by popular ignorance of the pre-Hellenistic world, Arthur Cotterell promises the general reader an enlightening account of the 2nd–1st millennium BCE Babylonian and Assyrian kingdoms. The extent to which he delivers is remarkable.’

- John Keay, author of Sowing the Wind: The Seeds of Conflict in the Middle East; India: A History; and China: A History,