The Assyrians Loved to Drink Beer

Beer held a prominent place in assyrian culture, and this inscription by the late king ashabanipal shows that even in the highest royal circles, it was considered among life's greatest pleasures. Like the sumerian s before them, the assyrians loved to drink beer. They drank it in groups, sipping it from large urns through hollow reed straws. The following letter contains instructions from a wine merchant to a friend. Tell ahuni belanum sends the following message, may the god shamash keep you in good health. Buy and bring along with you ten silver shekels worth of wine and join me here in babylon sometime to mor