Ancient Domestication of Animals Was Akin to Opening Pandora's Box

"Breaking the cycle of animal oppression and human violence requires cultivating compassion for all beings, fostering justice, and building a more compassionate and peaceful society."

The Vegan Project Global

The domestication of animals around 10,000 BCE played a significant role in shaping human society and the development of socioeconomic systems. However, the impact of animal domestication was not solely positive, as it also had negative consequences such as the emergence of money-based economies, war, poverty, and famine.

In Greek mythology, Pandora's Box is a box (or jar) given to Pandora, the first woman, by the gods as a punishment for Prometheus stealing fire and giving it to humans. Pandora was curious and opened the box, unleashing all the evils and misfortunes that plague humanity, including disease, war, famine, and death.

Firstly, the domestication of animals allowed for the creation of agricultural surpluses and the development of trade. The trade of animals, their by-products, and surplus crops led to the development of a barter system, which later evolved into money-based economies. Money-based economies enabled the accumulation of wealth, which led to the development of social hierarchies and the concentration of power and resources in the hands of the few.

The accumulation of wealth and resources, in turn, led to the development of war as a means of protecting and expanding one's wealth and territory. As societies became more complex, the competition for resources and power became more intense, leading to the development of large-scale conflicts and wars.

Furthermore, the domestication of animals and the emergence of agriculture created a shift from a hunting-gathering lifestyle to settled farming communities. While this allowed for the creation of more stable food sources, it also led to the concentration of people in specific regions, which put pressure on the land and led to the overexploitation of natural resources. This overexploitation eventually led to land degradation, environmental destruction, and even famine.


Lastly, the domestication of animals allowed for the exploitation and mistreatment of animals for human gain, leading to the creation of animal agriculture industries and the systemic abuse and exploitation of animals for food, labor, and other human purposes.


In conclusion, while animal domestication played a significant role in the development of human society and the emergence of agriculture and trade, it also had negative consequences such as the development of money-based economies, war, poverty, and famine. Understanding the impact of animal domestication on human society can help us address the current environmental and social challenges we face today.

Source: Animal Oppression and Human Violence