The first two books, and portions of others, are the performance of the late dr. The project gutenberg ebook of the natural history of pliny, vol i. The natural history of pliny, volume 1 of 6 by pliny, the elder author. Pliny the elder, tireless researcher and writer, is author of the encyclopedic natural history, in 37 books, an unrivaled compendium of roman knowledge. Barclay, 184749, also by philemon holland and wernerian club page images at hathitrust pliny, the elder. Book 2, cosmology, astronomy, meteorology, geography, geology. Pliny the elder 2379 ce, tireless researcher and writer, is author of the encyclopedic natural history, in 37 books, an unrivaled compendium of roman knowledge.
The natural history there is no book so bad that some good cannot be got out of it, pliny the elder used to say, and he read everything that he could obtain. Pliny the elder pliny, the elder the online books page. He wrote the encyclopedic naturalis historia natural history, which became an editorial model for encyclopedias. Direct observation, informed speculation and common knowledge are combined to present a key snapshot of ancient thought and the romans. The direct links to the latin text of this section of pliny are possible due to the. The natural history volume 4, part 2 pliny the elder.
Naturalis historia is a book about the whole of the natural world in latin by pliny the elder, a roman author and naval commander who died in 79 ad. Mingling acute observation with often wild speculation, it offers a fascinating view of the world as it was understood in the first century ad, whether describing the danger of diving for sponges, the first waterclock, or the use of asses milk. In ad 77, pliny published his famous 37volume work naturalis historia or natural history. Its frequent digressions into issues of morality and gossipy, occasionally rambling style would certainly not be at home in a modern encyclopedia, but its allencompassing scope covering botany, zoology, astronomy, geology, and medicine among other. The natural history volume 4, part 2 pliny the elder full. This extraordinary work was originally composed and. Mathematical and metrological survey of the universe. Even the errors of these authors are a portion of the history of nature, and. The homepage for plinys natural history the historia naturalis of c. This book is available with additional data at biodiversity heritage library. Gaius plinius secundus ad 232479, called pliny the elder. Pliny himself died while investigating the volcanic eruption that destroyed pompeii in ad 79, and the natural curiosity that brought about his death is also very much evident in the natural history a book that proved highly influential right up until the renaissance and that his nephew, pliny the younger, described as full. Pliny the elder was a roman natural philosopher who lived during the 1st century.
It is one of the largest single works to have survived from the roman empire to. It is one of the largest single works to have survived from the roman empire to the modern day and purports to cover the entire field of ancient knowledge, based on the best authorities available to pliny. Plinys historia naturalis natural history is a vast. Ii of pliny the elders naturalis historia natural history, 1st century ce. Pliny the elder ad 2379 was a roman natural philosopher who was educated in rome and came into contact with celts during his military service in germany and gaul. The natural history of pliny, volume 2 of 6 by the elder pliny. Spending most of his spare time studying, writing, and investigating natural and geographic phenomena in the field, pliny wrote the encyclopedic naturalis historia natural history, which. The natural history of pliny, volume 2 of 6 by the elder pliny free. The following is an adaptation of pliny the elder, the natural history, trans. Its frequent digressions into issues of morality and gossipy. Feb 26, 2017 266 videos play all have i got news for you full playlist hat trick herodotus histories full audiobook book 2 of 3 duration.
The natural history book vii with book viii 4 pliny the elders natural history is a vast encyclopaedia, surveying natural phenomena from cosmology to biology, medicine to magic. The natural history, volume 1, part 2 pliny the elder. Natural history volume 2, the by pliny the elder librivox. Pliny himself died while investigating the volcanic eruption that destroyed pompeii in ad 79, and the natural curiosity that brought about his death is also very much evident in the natural history a book that proved highly influential right up until the renaissance and that his nephew, pliny the younger, described as full of variety as. The natural history book vii with book viii 4 ebook written by pliny the pliny the elder. The project gutenberg ebook of the natural history of.
Plinys natural history is an astonishingly ambitious work that ranges from astronomy to art and from geography to zoology. The zoology chapters books 8 to 11 are frequently quoted, though pliny is not always acknowledged as the. Naturalis historia latin for natural history is an encyclopedia published circa ad 7779 by pliny the elder. Book i summarizes the entire contents of the work, listing the authors and sometimes. Pliny the elder pliny, the elder a wikipedia article about this author is available pliny, the elder. Table of contents of the others and of authorities. Pliny s natural history, either directly or indirectly through quotes by later authors, greatly influenced the development of the bestiary and other medieval beast literature. A multifaceted personality, he was also an author, naturalist, and a naval and army commander of the early roman.
His nephew pliny the younger gives an indication how devoted his uncle was to reading and studying, which was like working to him. Plinys historia naturalis natural history is a vast encyclopaedic work and the only book by him to have survived. It is one of the largest single works to have survived from the roman empire to the modern day. The work, which was largely complete by 77 ce, is divided into 37 books and covers such subjects as botany, zoology, and astronomy. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read pliny the elder. The natural history by pliny the elder free at loyal books. Pliny the elder, roman savant and author of the celebrated natural history, an encyclopedic work of uneven accuracy that was an authority on scientific matters up to the middle ages. His natural history contained over a million words in 37 volumes pliny attempted to document all known facts about the natural world. The project gutenberg ebook of the natural history of pliny. Plinys natural history was the goto encyclopedia for over 1,500 years, from its publication around the year 77 until well into the renaissance. For the original article on pliny see dsb, see vol. Pliny the elder biography facts, childhood, family life.
Preface pliny natural history preface plinius secundus to his dear vespasian a greeting. Questia read the full text online edition of natural history of pliny vol. Bostock, who contemplated a translation of the entire work. Selections from the history of the world, commonly called the natural history of c. The division of human knowledge into different fieldsbiology, history, mathematics, medicine, and so onis a relatively new invention. Natural history encyclopedic scientific work by pliny the elder. Plinys natural history in thirtyseven books london. Although only one of his works, natural history, has survived, pliny the elder became famous for that work. It is one of the largest single works to have survived from the roman empire to the modern day and purports to cover all ancient knowledge. Pliny the elder naturalis historia latin for natural history is an encyclopedia published circa ad 7779 by pliny the elder.
The only translation of plinys natural history which has hitherto appeared in the english language is that by philemon holland, published in the latter part of the reign of elizabeth. Unusually, the entire remarkable work it contains over a million words has survived intact it is one of the most substantial ancient works available to modern readers. As full of variety as nature itself, stated plinys nephew, pliny the younger, and this. Mingling acute observation with often wild speculation, it offers a fascinating view of the world as it was understood in the first century ad, whether describing the danger of diving for sponges, the first waterclock, or the use of asses milk to remove wrinkles. Pliny the elder, the natural history exploring celtic. Pliny the elder, natural history loeb classical library. Book vii of the natural history provides a detailed examination of the human animal and is crucial to understanding the work as a whole.
Pliny the elder wrote the worlds first encyclopedia. Natural history was a 37volume encyclopedia that covered topics ranging from anthropology, astronomy, and mineralogy to geography, botany, and zoology. Pliny s natural history is an astonishingly ambitious work that ranges from astronomy to art and from geography to zoology. Volume 2 holland, philemon, pliny, the elder, wernerian club on.
The natural history, volume 2 by pliny the elder free at. Natural history pliny project gutenberg selfpublishing. Most gracious highness let this title, a supremely true one, be yours, while that of most eminent grows to old age with your sirei have resolved to recount b to you, in a somewhat presumptuous letter, the offspring of my latest travail, my volumes of natural history a novel task for the native. Gaius plinius secundus, 23 79 ce was a roman author, naturalist and natural philosopher, a naval and army commander of the early roman empire, and friend of the emperor vespasian. Plinys natural history, either directly or indirectly through quotes by later authors, greatly influenced the development of the bestiary and other. Aug 22, 2017 pliny s natural history in thirtyseven books. Naturalis historia is an early encyclopedia published circa ad 7779 by pliny the elder it is one of the largest single works to have survived from the roman empire to the modern day and purports to cover all ancient knowledge. Pliny the elder, tireless researcher and writer, is author of the encyclopedic natural history, in 37 books, an unrivaled compendium of roman knowledge the contents of the books are as follows. Utf8 start of this project gutenberg ebook natural history of pliny, vol 1 produced by turgut dincer, brian wilcox.
Book ii continues with natural meteorological events lower in the sky, including the winds, weather, whirlwinds, lightning, and rainbows. He is always noble and serious, full of the love of justice and virtue. The direct links to the latin text of this section of pliny are possible due to the advice of bill thayer at the university of kansas. Pliny the elder, tireless researcher and writer, is author of. Links to translation of pliny the elder, natural history attalus. Pliny was a compiler, a gatherer and recorder of information. May 26, 2020 the natural history volume 4 by pliny the elder 23 79 11. It is one of the largest single works to have survived from the roman empire. The first two books, and portions of others, are the performance of. In pliny s eyes, mankind for whose sake nature was created, represents the basis for which the natural world was founded and structured.
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