# The First Men — Last and First Men character guide > The First Men in Last and First Men by Olaf Stapledon. **Role:** major **Also known as:** the First Men, Men, The First Men at Bay **First appearance:** 0001-last-and-first-men ## Snapshot The original human species, whose long history from primitive tribes to a First World State sets the pattern for all future rises and falls. ## Who they are They are us — or nearly us — the first iteration of humanity, struggling with egotism and social organization, dreaming of immortality and perfectibility. Their world is one of conflicting visions: some want to perfect the body and mind without changing their essence, others to breed pure brain, others to communicate with the unseen. They matter because they establish the template: every later species will recapitulate their hopes and failures, and their story is the first movement in a symphony of rise and decline that spans a billion years. ## In the story ### [Last and First Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/last-and-first-men) The First Men are the initial human species, whose story begins in the near future and whose evolution is the subject of the narrative. ### [The European War and After](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/i-the-european-war-and-after) The species that struggled through the European War and its aftermath. ### [II: The Anglo-French War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/ii-the-anglo-french-war) Their fate is sealed by the Anglo-French War and other conflicts. ### [III: Europe After the Anglo-French War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/iii-europe-after-the-anglo-french-war) The Russian townsfolk are seen as embodying the spirit of the First Men in a fresh readjustment to the modern world. ### [America and China](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/iii-america-and-china) The chapter discusses the First Men's collective lack of truth-seeking and critical intelligence, and their susceptibility to tribal instincts. ### [The Rivals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/i-the-rivals) The chapter discusses the First Men's collective mentality, their lack of critical intelligence, and their division into American and Chinese camps. ### [On an Island in the Pacific](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/iii-on-an-island-in-the-pacific) The human species of this era, described as unstable and prone to being swayed by trivial incidents, as seen in the interruption by the woman. ### [IV: An Americanized Planet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/iv-an-americanized-planet) The world-citizens of this era, characterized by their devotion to Gordelpus, ritual flying, and intellectual decline. ### [I: The Foundation of the First World State](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/i-the-foundation-of-the-first-world-state) The chapter discusses the history of the First Men, focusing on their achievement of world unity. ### [II: The Dominance of Science](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/ii-the-dominance-of-science) The race described in this chapter, whose intellectual curiosity has waned and who now regard science primarily as a source of power. ### [III: Material Achievement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/iii-material-achievement) The First Men are the subject of this chapter, their civilization and material progress being described in detail. ### [IV: The Culture of the First World State](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/iv-the-culture-of-the-first-world-state) The entire civilization of the First World State, characterized by material prosperity but intellectual decline. ### [V: Downfall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/v-downfall) The First Men, in their final stages, are depicted as helplessly continuing their ritualistic behaviors despite doubt and desperation, ultimately leading to their downfall. ### [V: The Fall of the First Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/v-the-fall-of-the-first-men) The species that falls into a dark age after the collapse of the World State, suffering from biological senescence and cultural decay. ### [I: The First Dark Age](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/i-the-first-dark-age) The First Men are the subject of this chapter, experiencing the First Dark Age after the fall of the World State. ### [II: The Rise of Patagonia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/ii-the-rise-of-patagonia) The broader species to which the Patagonians belong, now in a phase of senescence, with reduced energy and a less dramatic cultural trajectory. ### [IV: The Catastrophe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/iv-the-catastrophe) The ancient civilization whose ruins and records are discovered by the Patagonians, revealing their past glory and madness. ### [VI: Transition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/vi-transition) The original human species, now reduced to a small remnant in Siberia, struggling to survive and maintain their cultural inheritance. ### [I: The First Men at Bay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/i-the-first-men-at-bay) The last survivors of the first human species, facing extinction and tasked with preserving the human spirit. ### [II: The Second Dark Age](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/ii-the-second-dark-age) The remnants of the First Men, now reduced to savagery, are the focus of this chapter. Their degeneration and survival are detailed. ### [VII: The Rise of the Second Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/vii-the-rise-of-the-second-men) Referenced as the predecessors of the Second Men, whose history and limitations are contrasted with the new species. ### [I: The Appearance of a New Species](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/i-the-appearance-of-a-new-species) The predecessor species, compared unfavorably to the Second Men in various aspects. ### [II: The Intercourse of Three Species](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/ii-the-intercourse-of-three-species) Remaining tribes that fade out due to inability to adapt to the higher culture of the Second Men. ### [III: The Zenith of the Second Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/iii-the-zenith-of-the-second-men) Their remains and library are discovered by the Second Men, providing historical insight. ### [VIII: The Martians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/viii-the-martians) The Martians are compared to the First Men, particularly in their shared capacity for delusion and their obsession with a particular concept (movement for the First Men, radiation for the Martians). ### [III: The Martian Mind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/iii-the-martian-mind) The First Men are referenced as a contrast to the Martians, possessing individuality and self-criticism, but also suffering from selfishness and spiritual isolation. ### [Delusions of the Martians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/iv-delusions-of-the-martians) Mentioned as a comparison for the Martians' obsession, resembling the First Men's degenerate servitude to the idea of movement. ### [Earth and Mars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/ix-earth-and-mars) The First Men are referenced as a contrast to the Second Men's more refined but fragile nature. ### [I: The Second Men at Bay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/i-the-second-men-at-bay) Mentioned as predecessors with different behavioral patterns, contrasting with the Second Men's rationality and loyalty. ### [II: The Ruin of Two Worlds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/ii-the-ruin-of-two-worlds) Mentioned as a contrast, being too coarse-grained to be ruined by such spiritual troubles. ### [III: The Third Dark Age](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/iii-the-third-dark-age) Referenced as having fallen into racial senility through vulgar errors, contrasting with the Second Men's prolonged impotence. ### [X: The Third Men in the Wilderness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/x-the-third-men-in-the-wilderness) Earlier human species, referenced for comparison in terms of physical and mental characteristics. ### [II: Digressions of the Third Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/ii-digressions-of-the-third-men) Referenced as a comparison, particularly their obsession with mechanical contrivances and industrialism. ### [IV: Conflicting Policies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/iv-conflicting-policies) Mentioned as having had a strong craving for personal immortality, influencing the Third Men's preoccupation. ### [IV: The Culture of the Fifth Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/iv-the-culture-of-the-fifth-men) Referenced as the earlier species whose comprehension is limited compared to the Fifth Men. ### [The Last Terrestrials](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/xii-the-last-terrestrials) Mentioned as having early knowledge of the moon's orbit. ### [III: Voyaging in Space](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/iii-voyaging-in-space) Referenced as having earlier theories about the moon's orbit, which the Fifth Men have confirmed and extended. ### [I: Bird’s-Eye View](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/i-bird-s-eye-view) The First Men are mentioned as the earliest human species, from Pithecanthropus to the Patagonian disaster. ### [XV: The Last Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/xv-the-last-men) Used as a point of comparison to illustrate the differences and evolution of the Last Men. ### [Introduction to the Last Human Species](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/i-introduction-to-the-last-human-species) The hypothetical visitor from the First Men, used to contrast the Last Men's evolution. ### [II: Childhood and Maturity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/ii-childhood-and-maturity) The narrator compares the children of the Last Men to those of the First Men, noting the vastly different developmental timeline and intellectual capabilities. ### [III: A Racial Awakening](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/iii-a-racial-awakening) Referenced in the context of tragic art and their limited experience of the 'cold beauty'. ### [XVI: The Last of Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/xvi-the-last-of-man) Referenced as part of the human past that the Last Men explore with filial piety. ### [II: Behaviour of the Condemned](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/chapters/ii-behaviour-of-the-condemned) Mentioned as part of the human past that the Last Men seek to understand and admire. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters/the_first_men - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/last_and_first_men_se/characters