Wheat

Wheat is a grass widely cultivated for its grain as a staple food for humans across the world.

History[edit | edit source]

In the 5th century BCE, wheat was one of the main exports of Arkadia, known for its golden fields of grain. The grain was valued enough for the Spartan misthios Kassandra to comment about how wheat was "the most precious resource in the Greek world".^[1]

The Kretans believed that the Greek goddess of fertility and agriculture, Demeter, had taught men how to grow wheat.^[1]^{[citation needed]}

By the time of the 18th century, the cultivation of wheat had spread to the Americas.^[2]

Influence[edit | edit source]

The wheat's importance was highlighted by the fact that, during the Peloponnesian War, the Spartan heavy trireme Lakonia was adorned with stylized images of an ear of wheat.^[3]