Agriculture through the Ages: From Silk to Supermarkets

"For of all gainful professions, nothing is better, nothing more pleasing, nothing more delightful, nothing better becomes a well-bred [person] than agriculture."—Marcus Tullius Cicero, ancient Roman orator, ca. 44 BCE

"There is the place where his fruit trees are grown tall and flourish, pear trees and pomegranate trees and the flourishing olive."—Homer, Odyssey, eighth century BCE

Around 10,000 years ago, humans began settling down and growing food in one place. This practice is called ag...