DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3720#0096
CATTLE. —HERDSMEN.
79
regulations, which, in order to prevent the slaughtering of cows,
made them sacred—originated in a prudent fear lest their
supply of cattle should become exhausted, and suggested the
idea of adding to it by rearing wild animals of the desert.
The assertion, however, that none but red cattle were killed in
Egypt is erroneous; spotted, piebald, and other coloured varie-
ties being lawful for the altar and the table.
Those who bred cattle were the wealthy landed proprietors;
for it was long ago discovered that, even in Egypt, capital is
required for successful farming ; and though " small holders"
may gain a livelihood by cattle, or by tilling land near large
towns which give a ready market without the expense of long
land carriage, no great quantity of stock can be reared, nor any
undertakings be successful on a large scale, without an adequate
outlay; as no large country can be cultivated, like a market
garden, by a number of "little proprietors." The wealthy
landowners were grandees of the priestly and military classes;
but those who tended cattle were looked down upon by the
rest of the community. " Every shepherd was an abomination
to the Egyptians," both from his employment, and from the
OV. 54.)
recollection of the foreign Pastor Kings who had tyrannised
over Egypt; and this contempt is often shown by the paintings
79
regulations, which, in order to prevent the slaughtering of cows,
made them sacred—originated in a prudent fear lest their
supply of cattle should become exhausted, and suggested the
idea of adding to it by rearing wild animals of the desert.
The assertion, however, that none but red cattle were killed in
Egypt is erroneous; spotted, piebald, and other coloured varie-
ties being lawful for the altar and the table.
Those who bred cattle were the wealthy landed proprietors;
for it was long ago discovered that, even in Egypt, capital is
required for successful farming ; and though " small holders"
may gain a livelihood by cattle, or by tilling land near large
towns which give a ready market without the expense of long
land carriage, no great quantity of stock can be reared, nor any
undertakings be successful on a large scale, without an adequate
outlay; as no large country can be cultivated, like a market
garden, by a number of "little proprietors." The wealthy
landowners were grandees of the priestly and military classes;
but those who tended cattle were looked down upon by the
rest of the community. " Every shepherd was an abomination
to the Egyptians," both from his employment, and from the
OV. 54.)
recollection of the foreign Pastor Kings who had tyrannised
over Egypt; and this contempt is often shown by the paintings