The ancient social brotherhoods were based on the rite of blood drinking; the early Jewish fraternity was a sacrificial blood affair. [1] Belief blood was seat of soul gave origin to the practice of blood drinking. [2]
The embryonic state was made possible by the decline of the blood bond in favor of the territorial, and such tribal federations were usually firmly cemented by conquest. [3] The first treaties of peace were the “blood bonds”. [4]
The adherents of the cult of Mithra worshiped in caves and other secret places, chanting hymns, mumbling magic, eating the flesh of the sacrificial animals, and drinking the blood. [5] Blood drinking became common, and it was customary to mix the “edible” parts of the body with medicines. [6] Blood drinking as a seal of personal friendship and as a token of group loyalty. [7]