Ice in Ancient Times

November 9, 2024 Saxo Human Affairs, Orient

THE SCENE: This 4,000 year old passage illustrates a time when one of the great luxuries of the world was something as simple as … ice.

THE TEXT: King Aplahanda (of Carchemish) sends the following message:

There is now ice available in Ziranum, much of it. Place your servants there to watch over it so they can keep it safe for you. They can bring it to you regularly as long as you stay there. And if no good wine is available there for you to drink, send me word and I will have good wine sent to you to drink. Since your home town is far away, do write me whenever you need anything, and I will always give you what you need.

– From Letters from Mesopotamia edited by A Leo Oppenheim

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