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Encyclopedia of Religion entry forAgriculturePrimitive folk look with a feeling of awe and worship on the fertility of the earth. Originally Baal (q.v.) of the Canaanites and Astarte (q.v.) of the Phoenicians were gods of fertility and of the earth. Zoroastrianism recommends the diligent tilling of the soil. " What is the food that fills the Religion of Mazda? " asks Zoroaster. And the answer of Ahura Mazda is : " it is sowing corn again and again, O Spitama Zarathustra ! He who sows corn, sows righteousness " (Vendidad, iii., 23 ff.). Plato praises agriculture as providing, amongst other things, first-fruits for the gods and rich banquets for festivals. The deities, festivals, etc., connected with agriculture are dealt with under separate headings. See E. Westermarck. citations: Encyc. of Rel., Canney
article created 2006-04-12 , last updated 2006-04-12 |
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