•2. any decline in general prosperity or even an unusual and unwelcome event was attributed to supernatural anger at the failings of the ruler. Sickness, an eclipse, late rainfall, a volcanic eruption, earthquake, the discovery of a deformed elephant, disasters like drought or famine, warfare which maintained a great state placed a heavy burden on peasant society.
•It was the peasants who supplied the ranks of the armies, it was their crops and cattle which were seized for supplies, and it was they who could be carried off by opposing armies to be sold as slaves in distant lands or to increase the manpower of rival kings.