Contracts existed thousands of years before modern companies, nation states — or even paper. In this video, we explore more than 4,000 years of contract history: from clay tablets in ancient Mesopotamia and verbal agreements in Ancient Rome to medieval trade, industrialization, globalization, digital contracts and AI. Along the way, we look at one fundamental question: Why do humans need contracts? You will learn about: • The earliest known commercial contracts • Why contracts emerged alongside trade • Contracting in Ancient Rome • The development of Common Law and Civil Law • How medieval trade changed commercial agreements • Why industrialization made contracts more complex • The internationalization of contract law • The CISG and international trade • Digital contracts, smart contracts and AI • Why modern contracts can span hundreds of pages