The Babylonians and agriculture
The Babylonians and agriculture
Babylon (from Ancient Greek: Βαβυλωνία; Akkadian, Mât Akkadî) is a historical region of the Ancient Near East, which takes its name from its most prestigious centre, Babylon.
By the name of Babylonians, only the inhabitants of the capital were indicated.
The Babylonians were an ancient people who developed in the Mesopotamia region, corresponding to present-day southern Iraq, between 1800 BC. and 539 BC. Their reign reached its zenith under King Hammurabi in the 18th century BC. and later with the Neo-Babylonian Empire in the 6th century BC. Their history is characterized by important cultural, political and economic developments.
The city of Babylon, located on the Euphrates River, became the political and cultural center of the Babylonians. Under Hammurabi, the first great Babylonian king, the famous “Laws of Hammurabi” were codified, a code of laws that established the rules for justice and social management. This code represented an important step forward in the history of law, as it was based on the principle of retributive justice, establishing specific penalties for various crimes.
After the time of Hammurabi, the power of the Babylonians weakened due to invasions and internal strife. However, in the Neo-Babylonian period, under King Nebuchadnezzar II (604-562 BC), the Babylonian Empire once again achieved a position of dominance. During the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Babylon grew into one of the largest and most splendid cities in the ancient world. Magnificent palaces, hanging gardens (one of the Seven Miracles of the Ancient World) and the famous temple of Marduk, the main Babylonian god, were built.
However, the Babylonian Empire suffered a crushing defeat in 539 BC. when the Persian army led by Cyrus the Great invaded the city of Babylon. This event marked the end of Babylonian independence and the beginning of the period of the Persian Empire. Babylon lost its political importance, but continued to be an important cultural and commercial center.
Babylonian culture left a lasting legacy, particularly in the field of cuneiform writing, which was one of the earliest known forms of writing. The Babylonians also had a strong tradition of astronomy and mathematics, developing a positional number system based on the 60 that we still use today to measure time (60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour). The Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the earliest known works of literature, was written by the Babylonians.
In summary, the Babylonians were an ancient people who reached the height of their power under Hammurabi and later with the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Their culture and achievements influenced many aspects of later history, and the city of Babylon remains an important testimony to their glorious past.
Agriculture –
Agriculture played a vital role in Babylonian civilization.
The area where the Babylonians lived was characterized by fertile soils crossed by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which made possible the development of prosperous agriculture.
The Babylonians grew a variety of crops, including wheat, barley, lentils, broad beans, onions, garlic, and grapes. They used sophisticated irrigation systems to ensure an adequate supply of water to their crops. These systems included canals, dams and reservoirs to store water during dry seasons.
The division of time and resources was an important part of Babylonian agriculture. The peasants worked the lands on behalf of the temples, palaces and privileged classes. In exchange for their work, they received a portion of the harvest. Peasants also paid taxes and dues to the king or government officials.
The Babylonians had advanced knowledge of agriculture and developed innovative farming techniques. They practiced crop rotation to avoid soil depletion and used natural fertilizers such as animal manure to improve the fertility of the fields. Furthermore, they made extensive use of plows and hoes to till the soil and sow the seeds.
The harvesting of agricultural products was a crucial activity for the survival of the Babylonian civilization. The Babylonians harvested wheat, barley, and other crops using sickles or sickles. After harvesting, the grains were pounded to separate the grains from the chaff, and then sieved to remove any impurities.
Once harvested and processed, agricultural products were stored in warehouses called “silos”. The Babylonians developed methods of preservation, such as storing grains in cool, dry environments, to prevent them from spoiling.
Babylonian agriculture was also closely linked to the religious aspect of society. The Babylonians believed that the gods were responsible for the seasons, the rains and the flooding of rivers. As a result, they paid particular attention to offerings and rituals to secure divine favor for their crops.
In summary, the agriculture of the Babylonians was a central element of their economy and society. Through the use of sophisticated irrigation systems, advanced farming techniques and crop preservation, the Babylonians were able to produce an abundance of food and ensure the survival of their civilization.
Agricultural implements –
The Babylonians developed a variety of agricultural implements to cultivate the land and support their agriculture-based economy. Although detailed information on the specific tools used by the Babylonians is limited, we can make some assumptions based on general knowledge of agriculture at that time.
1. Plough: Plows were essential tools for plowing fields. It is assumed that the Babylonians used wooden plows with a metal or stone blade.
2. Hoe: The hoe was a flat-bladed tool used to turn the earth, uproot weeds and prepare seedbeds. It is thought that the Babylonians used metal or stone hoes.
3. Scythe: The sickle was an agricultural tool used for harvesting grain. It is assumed that the Babylonians used scythes with metal blades attached to a wooden handle.
4. Spade: The spade was a tool used to dig holes for planting and for earth removal. It is assumed that the Babylonians used wooden or metal spades.
5. Sickle: The sickle was a sickle-like, but smaller, tool used for harvesting herbs, hay, or herbs. It is probable that the Babylonians used sickles to gather useful herbs and plants.
6. Millstones: Millstones were tools used to grind cereals and obtain flour. The Babylonians used hand millstones consisting of two stones, one flat and one round, which were rubbed against each other to grind grain.
These are just a few examples of agricultural implements that the Babylonians may have used. It is important to remember that specific information is limited and agricultural technology could vary according to regions and eras within the Babylonian Empire.
Guido Bissanti