Synthesis: A History of the World in 6 Glasses

Tom Standage, in the History of the World in Six Glasses , gives detailed information on wine making process as a major cultural practice. Ancient Egyptian nomads would collect grains from the bush and then soak them in water, turning them into beer in the process. This type of beer resulted from human traditions in the Middle East. The availability of springs and rivers ensured a sufficient supply of water for the beer making process while the fertile pieces of land ensured a constant supply of grain. Overtime in History, various drinks have come into existence, courtesy of different cultures, right from the Stone Age period to the period of Ancient Greek dominance of modern civilization. This synthesis of History of the World in Six Glasses covers how the wine making the process as a farming practice was important for medical, economic and socio-cultural practices with in ancient Egypt and Rome. 

In The History of the World in Six Glasses , all the covered cultures exhibit different socio-economic aspects. Ancient Egyptian nomads lived in caves, skin tents, and huts. They practiced hunting, gathering, and fishing. They also did writing and poetry. The nomads created a domestic environment for various animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats. The nomads moved from one shelter to another. Their villages were inhabited by around three hundred people, most of whom occupied huts that had floors paved with stones. The cereal grains gathered from the bush were stored for years and used to make thick porridge as stated by Standage that ‘When no other foodstuffs were available to make soup, they could be used on their own to make either a thick porridge or a thin broth or gruel’ ( Standage, 2006 ). People ventured into activities such as crafts. The increase in their population that occasioned this period, necessitated need for new food sources. This surplus food was kept in stores and used when there was a shortage of food. Ancient Egyptians called upon their gods so as to ensure that there was sustained good harvest. Most of the Mesopotamians were farmers, administrators, and craftsmen. There existed wheeled vehicles which facilitated trading activities in Mesopotamia. Mesopotamians lived in large cities rather than villages. The inhabitants maintained temples and pyramids for purely religious reasons. In Greece, there existed palaces with bronze doors and Cyprus roofs. The palaces were surrounded by waterfalls and orchard of different plants. Kings did not use straws to take drinks and drunk from bowls made of gold. The Romans displaced the Greeks and adopted the Greek culture. Slaves worked on large estates of wine making. Wine was transported in freighters in large quantities, and others used wrecks to transport of their own wine ( Standage, 2006). 

The social aspect in all the cultures is brought about by beer and wine consumption for social purposes. The ancient Egyptians initially took water as their main drink. As time went by, they came to depend on a beverage made from wheat and barley. This was the drink that led to a social lifestyle among the nomads leading to early civilization. Accidentally, fermented fruits were the first alcohol to be tasted by humans. After their discovery of beer, they tried to improve its quality making various efforts in the process such as adding herbs and grapes to add flavor to the beer. Beer had a social function as people shared straws when drinking beer from pots. The Mesopotamians took wine for social purposes. They took wine during gatherings and social ceremonies. Taking wine was part of the social culture of Greeks and gave people a social identity. There was plenty of wine in Greece which was also consumed by the slaves. The Greeks drank wine from shallow bowls and jags, but there were large pots from which empty jags were refilled. Wine was mixed with water prior to intake because “drinking wine without mixing with water was considered a barbaric act” (Standage, 2006). The Romans also took wine for social purposes. Wine was taken by both the slaves and Caesar. There were special laws regarding particular amount of foods to be served on certain occasions. The wine was drunk in a civilized manner from bowls and was mixed with water before drinking. It was taken during meals and special occasions. 

Wine was used by the cultures for medical purposes. It was used to disinfect wounds and to regulate humor. Limitations were placed on the amounts of wine to be taken by people so as to prevent them from getting rowdy. Wine and beer were made from medical recipes such as herbs and could provide remedies to certain infections. The kings in Greece were prescribed for amounts and type of wine so as to improve their health. Whenever people had health complications, wine was used to cure them. The cultures had beliefs that correct amounts of wine and beer was good for the health of their body. Greeks and Romans mixed wine with water before consumption so as to avoid intoxication as opposed to the ancient Egyptians and Mesopotamians who took their drinks undiluted. 

The ancient Egyptians and Mesopotamians were involved in agriculture. Both cultures considered beer as a drink given from their gods as evident from Standage’s sentiments that ‘Mesopotamians and Egyptians alike saw beer as an ancient god given drink’ ( Standage, 2006 ). The beer was taken for social purposes and had some religious identity in both cultures. Beer was present in every given meal. People of all ages including women and children took beer . In both cultures, surplus food was collected and offered to the gods. Straws were used to take beer from the pots. Taxes in the form of grains and other goods were taken to the temple and then used to facilitate construction of public buildings in both Egypt and Mesopotamia. Beer was used for medical purposes in both cultures as it had medical recipes. All the cultures used beer for social purposes. The Greeks and Romans drank their wine from bowls and mixed it with water before consumption. Greeks and Romans used wines for medical purposes. 

The ancient Egyptians nomads lived in villages while Mesopotamian lived in large cities. Mesopotamians did not involve themselves in the intoxication of the beer and disapproved drunkardness as opposed to ancient Egyptians (Standage, 2006). Wine was available in plenty in Greek as Ashurnasirpal was able to produce in abundance compared to Mesopotamia since the latter had to transport their wine from the mountains making it expensive for people to afford. The Greeks drunk from shallow bowls and jugs as opposed to Egyptians and Mesopotamians who drunk from pots using straws. The Greeks and Romans mixed wine with water before consumption as opposed to the Egyptians and Mesopotamians who took it while fine. 

The ancient Egyptians played an important role in the discovery of beer and wine. Other cultures that came later made drastic changes in the quality of the drinks. Wine played both social and religious roles. It was a popular drink as meals were served with the drinks. The Greeks made many efforts in wine appreciation, and the Romans strengthened the wine and the social status of the drinkers. 

References 

Standage, T. (2006). A history of the world in 6 glasses . New York: Walker & Co.