"The Columbiad: A Poem" by Joel Barlow is a philosophical epic poem. The Columbiad shows human history reaching its climax in the formation of a world council in Mesopotamia, the delegates to which have thrown aside the symbols of their religious faith. in writing, the author explained his hopes for the future of America were pinned on a new trinity of "equality, free election, and federal band", which would bring about a new age of artistic and scientific advance