Hierarchy and politics, the never-ending story.

It was a classic struggle for power.

The only thing that made it different from the usual dramas of royal courts, parliamentary meetings or corridors of power

was that it took place in the Berger Zoo in Arnhem, Holland, and the key characters were male chimpanzees.

Franz de Wals studied chimpanzee politics has rightly become a classic. In it, he describes how

the alpha male, Yerowin, having been the dominant force for some time, found himself increasingly

challenged by a young

pretender lewitt. Luit couldn't depose Yerowen on his own. So he formed an alliance with another

young contender, Nicky. Eventually Luit succeeded and Yerowen was deposed. Luit was good at his job.

He was skilled at peacekeeping within the group.

He stood up for the underdog and as a result was widely respected.

The females recognized his leadership qualities

and were always ready to groom him and let him play with their children.

Yerouin had nothing to gain by opposing him.

He was already too old to become alpha male again.

Nonetheless, Yerouin decided to join forces with the young Nicky.

One night they caught Luit unawares and killed him.

The deposed alpha male had his revenge.

Reading the story, I thought of the story of Hillel in Pirke Avut, where it says he saw a skull floating upon the water and said,

because you drowned others, you were drowned, and those who drowned you will themselves be drowned.

In fact, so human-like were the power struggles among the chimpanzees

that in 1995, Newt Gingrich, Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives, included

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