WHAP - Marian Central Catholic High School

A History of the World in 6 Glasses
Tom Standage – 2005
Introduction – Vital Fluids
1. List the various uses of different beverages throughout history
2. Standage uses beverages for each major time period. List the six beverages and corresponding the
time period.
Chapter 1 – Beer in Mesopotamia and Egypt
3. Briefly describe the life of early humans. How important were grains in daily life?
4. Explain the two important discoveries made about cereal grains.
5. How are wine and mead created? What advantages did beer have over these two beverages?
6. What is bappir? How did Mesopotamians use bappir? What came first the beer or the bread?
7. Explain the social significance of drinks in Sumerian culture.
8. Who is Osiris? How did he accidently discover beer? Explain the various ritual uses of beer in the
Americas, Africa, and Eurasia.
9. Explain the two theories surrounding the shift from hunting and gathering to agriculture.
10. Explain Standage’s point of view on the role of beer in the transition to agriculture?
11. Why was beer often a better choice than water for humans? How did beer aid in the declining food
quality?
12. Explain the role of the communal storage house. How were ancient societies affected by having a
surplus?
Chapter 2 – Civilized Beer
13. Explain the factors why people chose to live in large cities.
14. Define civilization. Explain the reason for civilizations in both Egypt and Mesopotamia.
15. Explain the role of beer and bread in the Epic of Gilgamesh. Why is beer such an important beverage to
Mesopotamians and Egyptians?
16. How did writing develop in Sumer? How was writing related to compulsory taxes used by the priestly
class?
17. In what ways was beer used as currency in Mesopotamia? Egypt?
18. Explain the medical purposes of beer as used by Egyptians and Mesopotamians.
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