A Verbal Contest Between a Date Palm and a Goat from Drakht-e Asurik, Circa Second Century Bce

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Published 2011

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As early as the second century bce Iranians were considering the benefits of an agricultural life versus a pastoral one—and possibly vegetarianism versus meat eating. This is played out in a poem (that starts as a riddle) written in the Parthian language (an Iranian language preceding Middle Persian) by an anonymous poet, who sets up a verbal dialogue between a palm tree and a goat. The tree lists for the goat all the benefits it provides:

A palm tree in the land of Assyria: its trunk is dry; its top is moist; its leaves resemble canes; its fruits resemble grapes; and it bears sweet fruits for a people. In summer I am shade over the heads of rulers. I am vinegar for farmers, honey for noblemen; I am a nest for little birds and shade for travelers, who eat fruit from me until they become full.