The document discusses the stages of history, including the Ancient Age. It notes that the Ancient Age saw the rise of early civilizations like Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Writing was a major invention during this period, and civilizations founded cities, established commerce systems, and began using coins. The Phoenicians founded colonies in the Mediterranean, while the Greeks and later Romans expanded throughout the region. The Ancient Age lasted from the invention of writing until the fall of the Roman Empire.