Garrett MickleyAlcohol In The Past
Alcohol and alcoholism are not just modern issues. Since the beginning of time people have been using alcohol for medicinal and celebratory purposes. Ancient records tell tales for inebriated rulers and festivals devoted to alcohol rich deities. From the ancient Sumerians to the Romans alcohol has been an age old beverage of contention. This is perhaps why today those suffering from an excessive alcohol consumption problem must seek help at alcohol detox centers and rehab alike.
Ancient Evidence
Ancient murals devoted to rulers and deities depict elaborate wine jugs. The Discovery of Neolithic fermented beverage containers are also evidence that alcohol consumption is not a modern plague. The worship of such deities as Osiris and Dionysius was also prevalent throughout ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
Views On Consumption
Alcohol has widely been used in secular and religious functions throughout history. Even with such popular consumption the topic of moderation was addressed. In ancient Egypt the importance of moderation was known, a sentiment that society tries to instill today. In ancient Egypt they didn't feel that there was anything necessarily wrong with intoxication, but did warn against taverns and disproportionate drinking. These views although steadfast in Egypt perhaps, shifted considerably in the Greek and Roman venues. At the end of the day, the only way to beat alcohol addiction is with alcohol detox.
Religious Rites
Practices dating back to the Neolithic times featured wine and alcohol in religious rites. There were many wine and alcohol deities who were widely celebrated such as Osiris and Dionysius, and festivals such as the Roman festival of Bacchanalia. Bacchus was the Roman version of Dionysius, the deity of wine and merriment. Modern day practices involving alcohol include pagan rituals with the ingesting of bread and imbibing of ale. Christian sects also feature the drinking of wine and/or the blood of Christ.
Temperance
Early thoughts surrounding alcohol discussed the idea of moderation and temperance. However, slowly these ideals shifted. Greeks, Romans, and Macedonians widely practiced intemperance. Alexander the Great of Macedon was widely known for his alcohol consumption. His mother was a devout follower of Dionysius, the god of wine. Ideals shifted celebrating the use of wine and alcohol as a blessing from the gods.
Drinking Games
If people truly believe that modern day college students should be accredited with the invention of drinking games, then they are sadly mistaken. The ancient Romans had their own versions of beer pong and drinking games. A common game involved consuming as many cups of alcohol as possible depending on the role of a die.
Shifting Ideals
In ancient times from the Sumerians to the Romans the ideas surrounding alcohol and moderation kept shifting. Some time periods stressed the importance of temperance and moderation while others praised the excessive use of alcohol. Prominent men were either honored for their self control or admired for the drunken decision making. Even as Christianity slowly took over the shift of wine deity worship was slow to take shape which lead to the blessing for wine and alcohol for religious purposes.
Ancient Evidence
Ancient murals devoted to rulers and deities depict elaborate wine jugs. The Discovery of Neolithic fermented beverage containers are also evidence that alcohol consumption is not a modern plague. The worship of such deities as Osiris and Dionysius was also prevalent throughout ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
Views On Consumption
Alcohol has widely been used in secular and religious functions throughout history. Even with such popular consumption the topic of moderation was addressed. In ancient Egypt the importance of moderation was known, a sentiment that society tries to instill today. In ancient Egypt they didn't feel that there was anything necessarily wrong with intoxication, but did warn against taverns and disproportionate drinking. These views although steadfast in Egypt perhaps, shifted considerably in the Greek and Roman venues. At the end of the day, the only way to beat alcohol addiction is with alcohol detox.
Religious Rites
Practices dating back to the Neolithic times featured wine and alcohol in religious rites. There were many wine and alcohol deities who were widely celebrated such as Osiris and Dionysius, and festivals such as the Roman festival of Bacchanalia. Bacchus was the Roman version of Dionysius, the deity of wine and merriment. Modern day practices involving alcohol include pagan rituals with the ingesting of bread and imbibing of ale. Christian sects also feature the drinking of wine and/or the blood of Christ.
Temperance
Early thoughts surrounding alcohol discussed the idea of moderation and temperance. However, slowly these ideals shifted. Greeks, Romans, and Macedonians widely practiced intemperance. Alexander the Great of Macedon was widely known for his alcohol consumption. His mother was a devout follower of Dionysius, the god of wine. Ideals shifted celebrating the use of wine and alcohol as a blessing from the gods.
Drinking Games
If people truly believe that modern day college students should be accredited with the invention of drinking games, then they are sadly mistaken. The ancient Romans had their own versions of beer pong and drinking games. A common game involved consuming as many cups of alcohol as possible depending on the role of a die.
Shifting Ideals
In ancient times from the Sumerians to the Romans the ideas surrounding alcohol and moderation kept shifting. Some time periods stressed the importance of temperance and moderation while others praised the excessive use of alcohol. Prominent men were either honored for their self control or admired for the drunken decision making. Even as Christianity slowly took over the shift of wine deity worship was slow to take shape which lead to the blessing for wine and alcohol for religious purposes.
