Origins of Intelligence Services: The Ancient Near East, Persia, Greece, Rome, Byzantium, the Arab Muslim Empires, the Mongol Empire, China, Muscovy

Efficient, swift, and dependable intelligence services were essential to the growth and well-being of every major empire in recorded history. Tactics and devices of amazing subtlety were employed even by the early civilizations of the ancient Near East. These services led to the establishment of thousands of miles of road networks with fortified way stations, and post systems complete with draft mules, relay riders on horseback, and carriages used as stage coaches.