Paths of Power explores the development of ancient transportation technologies and the critical role they played in shaping early civilizations. Covering innovations such as the invention of the wheel, the rise of chariots, the construction of paved roads, advancements in shipbuilding, and the emergence of long-distance trade routes, the book examines how these breakthroughs enabled the movement of people, goods, and ideas across continents. Drawing on archaeological findings and documented historical evidence, it highlights the engineering achievements of cultures including Mesopotamia, Egypt, Persia, Greece, Rome, China, and the societies of the Indian Ocean and Pacific regions. This work provides an in-depth look at how mobility influenced economic growth, political power, cultural exchange, and the interconnectedness of the ancient world.