This description of civilization covers the essential features of western civilization and the sequence of predecessor civilizations for which adequate records exist.

What in particular distinguishes him from his predecessor Schelling?

Unnamed as yet; at least unknown to fame: Is there a strife in Heaven about his name, Where every famous predecessor vies, And makes a faction for it in the skies?

He remembered having stood under that very pillar where Pen the younger now stood, and having been assaulted by the Doctor's predecessor years and years ago.