A discussion of the historical role of food in world famines.
Written in 2005; 2,037 words; 12 sources; MLA; $ 64.95
Paper Summary:
This thesis discusses the role of food in world famines and delineates how the occurrence of famine has changed with time. Special emphasis is given to various precipitating factors- such as the specific role of certain foods and crops, weather, insects, pollution, ergotism, plague, politics and government- and how they contributed to each instance of famine. For the purpose of clarity, this subject is presented chronologically, first in respect to Ancient Egypt and then to Medieval Europe. Religious, mythical, as well as scientific based causative factors are delineated throughout this chronological narrative.
Introduction
Body of Paper
Egyptian Famines
European Famines
Discussion
Conclusion
From the Paper:
"Famine, or drastic food shortage, has plagued man since time immemorial, causing violent hunger, starvation, disease, and death. Wikipidia.com defines famine as "a phenomenon in which a large percentage of a region or country is undernourished and death by starvation becomes increasingly common" (Wikipidia, 2005). When famine does not kill, it overwhelms its hunger stricken survivors. Survivors, in their desperate attempts to acquire food, have been known to resort to robbing, killing, infanticide, and even cannibalism. Historically, when ancient man had no scientific explanation as to famine's cause, he searched for answers by turning to and seeking solace in myths, folklore, and spirituality. In time, famine made its way into the myths and folklore of various cultures. For example, the ancient Greeks believed that famine was one of the three evils, along with war and pestilence, contained within Pandora's Box, and unleashed onto mankind, once opened (Rodney, 2002). This dreaded phenomenon has been so prevalent throughout history, one need not search far in order to find numerous references to it in literature. Most notably, perhaps, famine is represented in the New Testament as one of the "Four Horseman of the Apocalypse." Thus, while ancient man may not have understood famine's causative factors, he certainly felt the general havoc, death, and destruction left in its wake."
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