History of
wine is as ancient as the history of mankind.
No doubt the accidental fermentation of grapes by unknown people was a happy discovery that spread quickly
through the ancient cultures and making of wine was soon elevated to an art.
According to Assyrian mythology, great gods drank Sesame wine prior to creating the world.
Persians' love of wine (bâtu) was one of the more accurate observations of Herodotus when he wrote in
Histories :
"... Persians are very fond of wine and drink it in large quantities."
Persepolis Fortification Tablets attest to the consumption of wine, not just by the King and Court, but by all the subjects of the empire,
men and women, who receieved wine rations as payment for their work in and around Persepolis.
Even some horses in the royal stables got wine rations.
Wine was an integral part of the imperial banquests and the enjoyment of wine was shared across the Persian Empire.
Fine wine was sent to Persepolis from the north city of Tirazzi, modern
Shiraz.
White (helbon) wine from the vineyards on the slopes of
Damascus was also sent to the Great Kings for the New Year.
Libation and consumption of wine was a part of the religious rituals of the
Mazdeans and a part of the
No'rouz celebration.
Production and consumption of grape wine was a costly venture during the time of the Achaemenids.
While Hellenes mixed their grape wine with water, Persians drank their wine pure,
which was a source of both envy and ridicule by the Hellenes.
In
Anabasis, Xenophon wrote about the 'Date wine' of Babylonians and 'Barley wine' of Lydians.
Unknown to Xenophon, Babylonians also enjoyed sweet Fig wine (ikâr tîti).
Elaborate wine serving customs at the imperial court were described in the Romance of
Cyropaedia by Xenophon:
"... for these cup-bearers to Great Kings performtheir business very cleverly:
They pour in the wine without spilling it, and give the cup, holding it on three fingers,
and presenting it in such a manner as to put it most conveniently into the hands of the man who is to drink it..."
An Achaemenid golden drinking bowl found at Ecbatana, modern
Hamedan, bore the following inscription:
"Artaxerxes, the Great King, King of Kings, King of Countries, son of Xerxes the King, son of Darius the King,
in whose royal house this wine drinking vessel was made."
