Aristotle thought nine concentric spheres encircled the earth, the outermost being the heavens. Claudius Ptolemy thought planets moved in small circles spinning around larger spheres. Copernicus came along and proclaimed the sun the center of the solar system. So where did it all begin? Over the centuries, there have been many theories on how the universe evolved, both secular and religious. This book reveals the truth. From the earliest hunter gatherers, to warlords, to Roman emperors, and other dynasties, this book surveys the empires of old to modern times. It also delves into a variety of scientific theories, the nature of black holes, and more. Finally, the book considers what might happen in the next hundred years, the next one thousand years, and beyond.