Pliny the Elder's World
Natural History, Books 2-6

New translation of the Natural History's opening books giving an influential Roman perspective on the natural world and geography.

Brian Turner (Translated by), Richard J. A. Talbert (Translated by)

9781108481755, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 19 May 2022

350 pages
23.5 x 15.8 x 2.4 cm, 0.63 kg

Pliny's World offers readers a translation of the Natural History's opening books unprecedented for its completeness, accuracy and accessibility. Here, in quirky, often breathless style, Pliny lays the foundation of a hugely influential encyclopedia with coverage of the universe, stars, planets and moon, followed by earth's climate and then its physical and human geography. From Rome as ruling centerpoint, Pliny surveys the known world and its countless peoples in a vast arc from the Atlantic to Sri Lanka, embracing the Danube, Euphrates and Nile lands, Atlas and Caucasus mountains, Germany, Africa, Arabia, India. Passages from later books further illustrating his geographical grasp are appended, on topics as varied as wine, water, trees, birds and fish. Throughout, Pliny's frank expression of strong opinions about religion, distorted human values, abuse of the environment (and more) reveals uncannily modern preoccupations. His work remained an inspirational resource through the Renaissance, and still fascinates today.

Introduction
Book 1 Pliny's detailed table of contents
Book 2 The Universe, astronomy, climate
Book 3 Europe: Spain to Italy
Book 4 Europe: East, North
Book 5 Africa, Levant, Asia Minor
Book 6 The East, India
Books 7-37 Notable geographical passages
Appendix 1 Titles and technical terms
Appendix 2 Units of measurement
Appendix 3 Latin editions translated (books 2 to 6).

Subject Areas: History of engineering & technology [TBX], Human geography [RGC], Physical geography & topography [RGB], Earth sciences [RB], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA]