When we think of Cannibis and the Ancient World, it's easy to assume the 70's, Woodstock, or " Easy Rider ". But let's step a whole lot further back into time. Just what is the story behind Cannibis and it's spread, it's span, and it's cultivation? At least in regard's to Ancient History. It's origin's appear to stem back as far as 4000 B.C. near Southern Asia. In the later part of the Stone age, known as the Neolithic Age, is where the first known 'indirect' evidence of Cannibis begins.

Neolithic civilization's experienced a flourish of advancement's for it's period after the diminish of the Ice Age. Animal domestication had it's early development during this period. Stone had prevailed into weaponry by being ground and polished. Tea emeged into Chinese culture. As well as the discovery of decorated Neolithic Chinese Pottery with Hemp impression on it. In the opinion of Anthropologist Weston La Barre, the plant could actually have it's root's in the Mesolithic Stone Age. An idea that carries considerable weight since Cannibis was already being so commonly used for it's fiber content so early on in Man's history.

While the Egyptian's were creating a 365-day calendar, it's believed that one of the earliest Chinese Emperor's, dating as early in time as 2700 B.C., established what's believed to be the very first account, or catagorization, of the Cannibis plant in a system of 'Herbal Medicine's'. The Chinese Emperor Shen Nong, who was also known as ' The Divine Farmer ', was the first to document the plant's benefits. The Emperor was also known for teaching Agriculture and Medicine in Ancient China. Thus establishing what just may be history's first Medical Marijuana in or around 2700 B.C. by the Emperor. Yeah.

In " The Divine Farmer's Herb Root Classic's ", the Emperor document's the many benefit's that surround the plant. Shen Nong describe's the plant as " Superior " in aleviating symptom's of malaria, gout, constipation, female weakness, absentmindedness, and rhuematism among many. An intriguing medical prognosis that has not changed over time. We can presume Cannibis was cultivated first and foremost for its fibre properties and then likely for it's medical benefit's. But in 1200 B.C. there exist's the earliest account's of Cannibis for the 'soul'. An ancient indian beverage known as ' Bhang ', or ' the Sacred Grass ', was praised highly for releasing anxiety in the Anthravaveda, one of the four vedas that compose the most ancient Scriptual hindu text's. So suffice to say that by the time 1200 B.C. rolled around, no doubt Cannibis was being fully recognized for most, if not all, of it's benefit's. When you start to compile a timeline for the History behind the growth of Cannibis, it's amazing that all this evolution of discovery and use occurred before event's like Stonehenge, the Mayan calendar, or Alexander the Great. Before the Trojan War and prior to 300 Spartan's battling the Persian's at Thermopylae, the early Chinese had made Cannibis an integral part of Medicine and the development of a growing industry to span world wide.

During 2700 B.C. the Chinese had mastered the weaving of ' silk '. It was during this silk explosion that China was literally in high demand for the newly luxuious fabric. Such a high commodity that the long established travel route's dating back to the stone age, became known as ' The Silk Road's'. Located in Central Asia, for traveler's the mergeance of these road's connected China, India, and the Middle East, making them the center for new concept's, new culture's and religion's. The very same traveled route's that would eventually lay the path for Cannibis into the ancient world. Although there is no definative place of cultivation origin for Cannibis, it may have been the result of both cultural and natural factor's. Cannibis was transported and exported by people by way of cultural interest. In natural factor's, the plant may have also been transported, or relocated, by strong wind's carring pollen and seed's, or by animal's. Another strong area of evidence, and speculative evidence, is the plant's connection to Spirituality throughout Ancient History. Taoist are believed to have banished ' impure spirit's' with the scared " Gohei " rod that is traditionally made solely from Hemp.

It's clear to see how quickly Cannibis established itself so early on in History. Pollen from Cannibis was found in the Mummy of Ramses II. By the time of the 5th Century, about 420 B.C., the Greek Historian Herodutus was taking into written account the use of Cannibis by the Synthian's.

" On a framework of tree spike's, meeting at the top, they stretch piece's of woolen cloth. Inside this tent they put a dish with hot stone's on it. then they take some Hemp seed, creep into the tent, and throw the seed's on the hot stone's. At once it begin's to smoke, giving off a vapor unsur¬passed by any vapor bath found in Greece. The Synthian's enjoy it so much they howl with pleasure. "

This deescription by Herodutus give's revised ancient meaning to the term 'hotbox'.
It's not often we associate Cannibis witheither the Judaic or Christian sect's, but it is evident how recognized the plant was during this age. A Professor of Classical Mythology at the Boston University, Carl Ruck, strongly believe's in the possibility.

" There can be little doubt about the roll of Cannibis in Judaic religion" he add's " obviously the easy avaliability, and the long established tradition of Cannibis in early Judism would inevitably have in¬cluded it in the Christian mixture's. "

In an article for " High Time's " magazine, write Chris bennett would address this idea 'bluntly' with his cover story titled " Was Jesus a Stoner? ". It's believed that between 1500 and 1000 B.C. Moses led the Israelite's out of Egypt and into Canann. This we all have heard. But, it's also believed according to Exodus 30:22, that God instructed Moses to prepare the Holy Oil. An annointing oil that includes 'Kaneh Bosm ', an ingredient that is suggested as being Cannibis. If so, Bennett's cover story in " high Time's " begins to show some Credence.

"If Cannibis was one of the main ingredient's of the Ancient annointing oil, and recieving this oil is what made Jesus the Christ and his follower's Christian, " Bennett conclude's " then prosecuting those who use Cannibis could be considered anti-Christ. "

As contentious as the theory may have been during it's time of publication, Bennett's concept does'nt sound to far fetche in this present day and age. The advancement and rapid evalation of tech¬nology and it's merge with Science, Paleontology, Anthrpology, and Historians, has made discovery's more profound and extremely detailed than compared to just a decade ago.

Did Caligula use Pot?
By the time of the Roman Empire and its domination over the ancient world, Cannibis was equally in high regard. Even Roman royalty is suggested to have known of the plant's benefit's first hand. The Roman Emperor Nero's own Surgeon, perhap's the equivalent to what Dr. Sanjay Gupta is to President Obama, boasted and praised the plant for it's Medical benefit's and for producing such 'strong cords'. Having reached this level of Imperial fame and demand, it's quite easy to speculate that Caligula was also using Cannibis in some form or another. It's also believed that the incense involved in some ancient Judaic religious ceremonies was infused with a Cannibis extract. Some of the very same ceremonies that would have been performed by Jesus. Leaving one to ponder objectively the notion, and reconsider the possibilty of at least a contact high.

To describe what modern day civilization's has benefit from the Ancient World as an overwhelment of wonder, is simply an understatement. It's amazing to look around at all that we have gained due to the Ancient's. The world of Entertainment is credited to the Greek's. Most of our Government Building's reflect the Greco-Roman architecture. Our calendar's, the Olympic's, Astrology, our Law's, and so much more by what Ancient civilization's had originated. But can Modern day society look at Cannibis and it's use, and importance, in the Ancient world objectively? In 2009 there are currently 13 State's, and still growing, that recognize the legalization of Medical Marijuana. A positive conclusion to this question...just may be a ' yes.'