Civilization begins

For example, history became endowed with a greater meaning only once it became civilized. In other words, “absolute beginnings” were not as much of a concern to the ancient mind. Rather, “civilized beginnings” were of extreme importance, and, for the Mesopotamian, civilization did not begin in a sense until kingship was introduced by the gods to the earth. As we will see below, the SKL [Sumerian King List] describes this as when “kingship descended from heaven." — Toward a Poetics of Genesis 1-11, page 181

<idle musing>
Notice where kingship comes from, too. Divine right of kings, anyone...it didn't start in the Middle Ages!
</idle musing>