This book, the first of two volumes, examines ancient civilizations to explore the ethical foundations of modern economic systems. The origin of ethical values is analyzed from a historical context and, through investigating the spread of the Aryan civilization from India into the rest of the world, the links between ancient Russia, India, Japan, and Greece are highlighted. By examining the business management in these societies, the development of an ethical system is explained. This book aims to highlight how trust is fundamental to transactions within an exchange economy. It will be relevant to those interested in economics, development studies, international relations, and global politics. Dipak Basu is Emeritus Professor in Economics at Nagasaki University, Japan. He obtained a PhD from the University of Birmingham, England. Previously, he was a Research Officer at the Department of Applied Economics, University of Cambridge and a Lecturer in Econometrics at the Institute of Agricultural Economics, University of Oxford. Victoria Miroshnik is Professor in Management at Reitaku University, Japan. She obtained a PhD from the University of Glasgow, Scotland. Previously, she was Professor at Jindal Global University, New Delhi, and Associate Professor at Tsukuba University, Tokyo and Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Beppu, Japan.