Tobias Patrick

169037588

Ancient History in Global Context

Final Essay

3. Describe in detail one of the many topics that have been mentioned in this course and its

impact on ancient societies around the world. The topics to choose from are: agriculture,

the city-state, religion and cults, leadership, and war/military.: Agriculture

Word count: 1011

 Agriculture is the practice of cultivating crops and raising animals for food and other

products. The development of agriculture is considered one of the most important milestones in

human history, as it allowed humans to settle in one place and form communities that could

sustain themselves through farming. The origins of agriculture can be traced back to multiple

regions of the world, including the fertile crescent, China, Mesoamerica, and the Andes.

In the Fertile Crescent in modern-day Iraq and surrounding areas, agriculture began

around 10,000 BCE. The Fertile Crescent was home to some of the earliest known civilizations

such as the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians. These societies developed complex

agricultural systems that allowed them to support large populations and develop sophisticated

urban centers. This region was home to many wild plants and animals that were suitable for

domestication, including wheat, barley, sheep, and goats. The first farmers in this region began

cultivating these plants and raising these animals, which allowed them to produce more food

than they could gather from the wild. This surplus of food enabled these early farmers to settle in

one place and form permanent communities. The domestication of plants and animals was a

gradual process that took many centuries. In the case of plants, humans selected desirable traits,

such as larger seeds and sweeter fruit, and planted their seeds year after year. Over time, these

plants became more adapted to living in the wild. Similarly, in the case of animals, humans

selected those with desirable traits, such as docility or higher milk production and bred them with

each other. This selective breeding led to the development of new breeds of animals that were

more suited to human needs.

The development of agriculture had a profound impact on human societies. Before

agriculture, humans were primarily hunter-gathers who relied on wild animals for their food.
They lived in small groups and were constantly on the move in search of food. With the

development of agriculture, humans were able to produce more food than they needed to survive.

This allowed them to settle in one place and form larger communities that could support more

complex social and economic structures. One of the most significant changes brought by

agriculture was the rise of civilization. This led to the development of trade and commerce,

which further enhanced the economic development of ancient civilizations. For example, the

ancient Greeks were able to trade olive oil and wine with other societies, which helped to

increase their wealth and power. With the ability to produce surplus food, some members of

society were freed from the task of food production and were able to pursue other activities, such

as art, science, and governance. This led to the development of complex societies with

specialized roles and hierarchies. In addition, agriculture allowed for the growth of cities and the

emergence of trade networks that spanned vast distances. Agriculture also had a profound impact

on the environment. The clearing of the land for agriculture led to deforestation in some areas

and the erosion of soil in others. The use of irrigation systems and fertilizers also led to changes

in the compositions of soils and the quality of water in rivers and lakes. These changes had both

positive and negative effects on the environment and on human societies. Agriculture also played

a role in the development of technology. With the need to produce food on a larger scale, ancient

civilizations developed new tools and techniques for farming and animal husbandry. The plow,

for example, was invented in ancient Mesopotamia and allowed farmers to till the soil more

efficiently. Irrigation systems were also developed to help farmers grow crops in areas with

limited water resources. This led to the development of new forms of technology and the

improvement of existing technologies.

 One example of the impact of agriculture on ancient civilizations can be seen in the

development of the ancient Egyptian civilization. The Nile River provided a reliable source of

water for irrigation, which allowed for the cultivation of crops such as wheat and barley. The

surplus food produced by these crops allowed for the growth of cities and the development of

specialized labour. The pharaohs, who were at the top of the social hierarchy, controlled the

surplus food produced by the peasants and used it to support their armies and build grand

monuments such as the pyramids. The development of agriculture led to increased social

organization in ancient civilizations. With the production of surplus food and the specialization

of labor, more complex social structures began to emerge. Social classes developed, with some

people becoming wealthy landowners while others became skilled craftspeople or traders.

This social organization was also reflected in the development of religious and political

institutions. With the rise of cities and complex societies, people began to develop religious

beliefs and practices that reflected their social organization. Political institutions also developed

to manage the affairs of these societies, leading to the development of early forms of

government.

Overall, the development of agriculture was a major turning point in human history. It

allowed humans to settle in one place, form communities, and develop complex social and

economic structures. It also significantly impacted the environment, which continues to be felt to

this day. It led to population growth, specialization, surplus food production, and increased social

organization. These developments helped to shape the course of human history, and their effects

can still be felt today. Agriculture was truly one of the most transformative innovations in human

history.
 Citations

Tauger, Mark B. Agriculture in World History. Routledge, 2021.

Seland, Eivind Heldaas. A Global History of the Ancient World: Asia, Europe, and Africa before
Islam. Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group, 2022.

Montgomery , David R. Soil Erosion and Agricultural Sustainability | PNAS.

https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.0611508104.