Quote Originally Posted by Foot
Ambar
(Granary)

Grain, for the ancient world, was the most important of produces. Before the rise of metal coins, grain acted as a currency of its own. However, even without its use as a form of currency, grains are a crucial commodity: grains are an important form of sustenance that can be stored easily for lengthy periods of time - a necessary quality in the event of a seige or a drought.

The Ambar is a building specifically built for the purpose of storing grains. The portion of the surplus produce from the local fields is kept in the Ambar for later use. This surplus of grain, not only acting as source of food in needy times is also important for sustaining a growing population. To support more people in a province (especially if that population is mostly urbanised), a Ambar is a necessary building.

In Hayasdan the Ambar was often an enlarged underground room fitted specifically for the storage of grains. The grain was kept in large jars of equal size so that the storage clerk would know how much was stored and act accordingly. This practice of storing grain in equal size jars hailed from the days when grain had been used as a common currency. Grain's form as a currency makes sense since as a material it holds many useful and unique characteristics: as already mentioned it can survive much longer than most other perishable goods; stored in jars, grain can be easily measured and accounted; most importantly, unlike rarer materials such as metals or jewels, grain can be used, and is needed, by everyone.

Grain has played an important part in the economical and cultural development of Hayasdan. At the zenith of Urartean power in the area,(Urartu was the earlier kingdom of Hayasdan: 1270 bce - 612 bce) grain was used as payment for services to the tribal leaders and the Royal House. As the surplus of grain grew the powerful leaders of the Urartean Kingdom were able to commission magnificent buildings, majestic works of art and ornamental carvings: this period of Hayasdan's history was a boom for stone and metal artifacts.

It is also worthy of note that the production of grain in Hayasdan cannot be overstated. In official documents, again dating from the Urartu period, there is recorded the spoils of war that Urartean Kings brought back from conquered lands. While livestock, slaves, gold and iron are all mentioned, not once is there any report of grain being brought home. These documents signify that the surplus supply of grain and its production in Urartu was so large in these periods of conquest that free grain in form of loot was indeed not beneficial to Urartu but an unneeded.


The Ambar will allow the surplus of grain from the local farmers to be kept for the benefit of the provinces inhabitants.
Woaah! Keep up that work mate!