Wine is the first alcoholic drink in history. Since ancient times, he has been called the "kidnapper of reason." And they found out about him when ceramic dishes appeared. Who invented the alcohol? The history of occurrence will be told in the article.
The emergence of wine
Scientists still can not say who invented alcohol. This drink originated in ancient times. For example, the New Guinean Papuans did not know the fire, but already knew how to get alcohol.
In addition, archaeologists managed to detect fragments of ceramic vessels. On them are the remnants of wine. As for the first graphic and textual evidence of the existence of this drink, they are dated to the 4th millennium BC. e.
Etymology
Scientists still argue about the etymology of the name. Thus, a number of experts believe that the word “wine” means “to wander, blossom” (ghvivill). Another linguist named Fasmer believes that the name has common roots with the Slavic word “vit.” Still others are sure that the term is based on the Sanskrit root vena. It means "beloved." In general, these hypotheses still have no evidence.
Application
It is difficult to answer the question of why they came up with alcohol. Curiously, almost all nations used the wine drink . It was completely independent of the geography of residence. The exception was the northern peoples. There was one reason - the lack of raw materials for making wine. In those days, representatives of these nationalities used appropriate mushrooms instead of alcohol.
Why they came up with alcohol is hard to say. It is known that ancient tribes used wine as an integral part of a certain ritual. In this way, people tried to communicate not only with the gods, but also with the dead. Alcohol helped to overcome a person’s fears of the natural forces and tribulations of that era.
A little later, the rite of twinning arose. Drops of blood from the participants in this ritual were added to the wine drink. After the vessel with liquid was launched in a circle. This is probably where the tradition of gathering guests came from. Her prerequisite is a bottle of wine on the table.
And the inhabitants of Ancient Hellas sincerely believed in a deity - in Dionysus. Special celebrations were even dedicated to this god of winemaking. They were called dionysias. As a rule, there was a huge amount of alcohol at the festival.
It is interesting that many historical sources mention, among other things, the abuse of alcohol. So, in warlike Sparta, they generally soldered their slaves in order to clearly demonstrate the negative consequences of drinking to representatives of the younger generation. But in ancient India, women were strictly forbidden to drink alcohol.
Legends and traditions
It is difficult to answer who invented the alcohol. Interesting myths about this have come down to our time. Almost every state has its own legend associated with the appearance of the drink. Ancient Greek mythology tells of a shepherd named Estaphylos. Once a sheep ran away from his herd. When he found her, he saw that the fugitive was eating the leaves of an unknown plant for him. The shepherd took his fruits and, having squeezed them, got a great drink. And then the juice was left by mistake in the sun. The liquid fermented and turned into a great wine.
But the ancient Romans claimed that the god of crops and the land of Saturn was the first who was able to plant a vine.
Little Asian storytellers, however, narrated a touching and refined legend. According to them, one of the Persian monarchs had a chance to save a certain bird. A poisonous snake was about to kill a feathered one. In recognition and appreciation, she handed him the seeds. Without thinking twice, the king buried them in the ground. After a while, a sprout appeared, and then a plant with fruits grew, which gave grape juice.
For a long time, the Persians quenched thirst with a drink. But somehow the ruler was accidentally given acidified juice. Of course, he was angry and ordered to remove the cup with the drink. The servants were forced to take the vessel to the basement and, of course, later forgot about its existence.
A little later, the king’s beloved concubine began to suffer from severe headaches. For several days she could not sleep at all. Then the girl decided to poison herself. She believed that this fermented juice is certainly a poison. After drinking it, she fell asleep, and woke up completely healthy.
Geography
Who invented the alcohol? The authorship has not yet been determined. As stated earlier, wine was prevalent everywhere. In ancient Egypt, bas-reliefs are still stored, which depict grape harvesters.
It is difficult to say in which year they came up with alcohol. In Hellas, the history of a wine drink began about four thousand years ago. Incidentally, in those days, Greek wine was significantly different from the present. The ancient Greeks consumed a rather thick drink. At the same time, herbs, nuts and honey were always added to it. In addition, information has been preserved that in some cases the Hellenes were ordered to add oil, ash and white clay to wine. By the way, this drink, like onions and bread, was the diet of most of the ancient Greek population.
The Romans were able to adopt the traditions of ancient Greece. But they greatly enriched them. The inhabitants of this empire kept the drink in barrels. There is even information about a 100-year exposure. In addition, they managed to establish exports to other European countries. They say that Roman wine was bought in Scandinavia and in India. By the way, representatives of the Celtic peoples were ready to give the slave for an amphora of Roman wine. Slaves who were engaged in the production of wine were valued at times more than slaves of other professions.
The Transcaucasian region can also claim to be the cradle of winemaking. It also arose in ancient times, and the word "wine" does not at all exclude its Caucasian origin.
In France, the drink began to be produced later, in about the seventh century BC. The Portuguese met him in the second century BC. And in Germany - in the first, but in a new era.
Facts
Interesting information about alcohol.
- During a feast in Hellas, the landlord was always the first to take a sip of a wine drink. The guests were so convinced that the alcohol was not poisoned. By the way, it was then that the expression "Drink for health" appeared.
- Roman women could not drink wine. Otherwise, the husband could kill his spouse. But later the servants of Themis decided to introduce a divorce instead of the death penalty.
- The concept of "ice wine" appeared in Germany. German winemakers came up with a special drink. It was a wine made from frozen grape fruit.
- The ancient Greeks exchanged wine for precious metals.
- In 1922, archaeologists decided to open the tomb of the famous Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun. Scientists were very surprised when they saw that in the grave there are vessels with wine. They indicated the name of the winemaker, the date of manufacture and quality marks.
- The very first illustration of drinking wine is a work entitled "The Standard of War and Peace." It was created in the years 2600-2400. BC.
- Fear of a wine drink is called oenophobia. In addition, there is a science that studies it. Scientists call it enology.
From wine to alcohol
Alcohol appeared by distillation of wine. The Arabs were the first to receive it. This happened at the beginning of the seventh century. The name "alcohol" was coined precisely by these representatives of the people, and the word means "stupefying."
A few centuries later, Europeans also learned how to produce pure alcohol. In this regard, the founder of the process was a certain monk named Valentius. For the first time he was able not only to prepare this potion, but also to use it. After some time, he came to the conclusion that alcohol is a truly wonderful remedy. With his help, the old man turns into a young man. In addition, it is alcohol that is able to add vitality and strength.
Later, the French alchemist managed to get wine alcohol. He began to promote it as a healing remedy. Then the monasteries of Italy and France themselves began to produce the same alcohol. It was then called aquavitae, otherwise - "water of life."
From this moment, the active distribution of alcohol began in all states, without exception. At the same time, merchants from Genoa brought this wonderful tool to Russia. Merchants clearly demonstrated its virtues to the boyars, pharmacists and, of course, the Grand Duke.
Alcohol in Ancient Russia
So the point of view that drunkenness is an original feature of the Russian people is erroneous. In those days in Russia they drank exclusively mead, beer and mash, but only on large holidays and in moderate doses. The strength of these drinks did not exceed ten degrees. As a rule, drinks were not brewed for sale, but only for themselves.
When the Genoese brought alcohol, it did not take root at all. Russian craftsmen invented their drink a century later. Vodka was then diluted bread alcohol. Most often it was called bread wine.
Spread
Over time, the process of winemaking and alcohol production gained momentum. It was already impossible to stop. True, the monarchs of some states have always tried to do this. But, as a rule, these attempts were in vain ...