Salt and Civilization - Hardcover

Adshead, S.A.M.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0333537599 ISBN 13: 9780333537596

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan, 1991

Synopsis

'Highly recommended as a thorough examination of the commodity history of salt'-The Geographical Journal. Salt has been called the primordial addiction. It has been an object of almost universal consumption since Neolithic times. This book sets out to place the particular histories of salt in a global perspective and write the history of a human commodity as a theme in world history. From pagan man, through classical Rome, Byzantium, early Islam, the Dark Ages, the Renaissance to the modern world, the production, distribution, consumption and taxation of salt are examined. The author shows how a history of salt cannot be separated from the histories of commerce, medicine, diet, cooking, taxation, invention and war. Although taken for granted today, salt has been of critical economic and cultural importance to countries and peoples throughout history; the instigator and catalyst to actions and events ranging from the first maritime expedition of Muslim forces to Columbus's discovery of America. After Salt and Civilization salt can not be taken for granted again.

Edition details

• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• Publication date: 1991
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0333537599
• ISBN 13: 9780333537596
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 429