Research Paper on:
Wine Significance in the Histories of Herodotus

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these references. The symbolic importance of wine and the drinking of wine within these books of Herodotus is an interesting one that makes for a more meaningful reading experience  when one understands this significance. HERODOTUS HISTORIES In the ancient worlds in which this history takes place wine was one of the most prevalent of beverages besides water.  Because of this there are many references to wine and drinking in all of Herodotus Histories. However, examining many of these references reveals a type of pattern that  slowly emerges from within the pages. It is significant of course that it was at that time considered commonplace to share wine with somebody, either friend or stranger. This  can be likened to having a cup of coffee with somebody in contemporary times. Because of this fact sharing wine seems something of an innocent thing to do, an  indication of nothing more than a show of camaraderie. Because wine can make one drunk, however, there were times when this factor could be used to ones advantage. Mention  is made of the constant ritual drinking of wine to the point of drunkenness. In fact, "Herodotus thinks that the Persians, after making an important decision, drink too much  wine, make up their drunken minds and know that their decision was sound when they still see things the same way when sober" (Herodotus Histories PG). This gives the  reader of these pages a point of reference as to how prevalent the drinking of wine actually was in that time period. WINE AS A WEAPON One  of the more interesting depictions of the drinking of wine as concerns Herodotus Histories is the story in Book 2 in which the two brothers had access to the kings