Beekeeping during medieval times holds ancient roots, but detailed accounts from this period are scarce. Notably, the Geoponika, a 10th-century Byzantine farming manual, includes insights on bee behavior and hive management. The text portrays bees as intelligent creatures, with a structured social system resembling human cities. They are lauded for their cleanliness and diligence, distinguishing between pure and impure substances. Additionally, the manual illustrates the cooperative nature of bees and their loyalty to their queen, reflecting a deep reverence for these insects and their contribution to humanity through honey production.
The bee is the wisest and cleverest of all animals and the closest to man in intelligence; its work is truly divine and of the greatest use to mankind.
The bee is extremely clean, settling on nothing that is bad-smelling or impure; it is not greedy; it will not approach flesh or blood or fat but only things of sweet flavour.
This animal is pleased by a good tune: when they are scattered, therefore, beekeepers clash cymbals or clap their hands rhythmically to bring them home.
It particularly hates laziness; bees unite to kill the ones who do not contribute to the community.
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