The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 2 (of 6)

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

60230

Title

The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 2 (of 6)

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Pliny the Elder's *Natural History* Volume II offers a sweeping survey of the terrestrial world, blending geographical exploration with marvels of animal behavior. From the intelligence of elephants to the customs of ancient barbers, this text invites readers into a world where nature and human history intertwine with wonder and scholarly curiosity.

Summary up to 500 words

In Volume II of *The Natural History*, Pliny the Elder shifts his focus from the Mediterranean coast to the vast, previously less-charted interiors of Asia and Europe. Drawing upon recent Roman military campaigns under Domitius Corbulo and diplomatic reports from visiting kings, Pliny provides a detailed geographical survey of Cappadocia, Armenia, and surrounding regions. He maps these lands with a precision that often contradicts earlier Greek writers, incorporating data on the Taurus mountain range, the Caspian Sea, and the complex political landscape of the Caucasus, including the territories of the Albani and Iberians. The narrative then transitions to the natural world, offering an extensive examination of elephants. Pliny describes them as the largest terrestrial animals, possessing intelligence that approaches human levels. He details their profound docility, noting their ability to understand commands, mourn the dead, and even write Greek letters to dedicate spoils. The text recounts their religious reverence for the moon, their practice of burying fallen tusks, and their strategic deception of hunters by displaying smaller, less valuable teeth before breaking off their primary tusks as a final ransom. Beyond geography and fauna, Pliny explores the history of Roman daily life, specifically the evolution of barbers and timekeeping. He cites Varro to explain that barbers were introduced to Italy from Sicily in 454 AUC, with daily shaving becoming a custom only later adopted by figures like the younger Africanus. Regarding time, Pliny traces the progression from simple solar observation in the Twelve Tables to the invention of the sun-dial by L. Papirius Cursor and the subsequent development of water clocks (clepsydrae) by Scipio Nasica to divide hours during cloudy weather. Throughout the volume, Pliny weaves together a tapestry of observation, myth, and historical record. He cites a wide array of authorities, ranging from Roman figures like Cicero, Virgil, and Livy to foreign scholars such as Herodotus, Aristotle, and Megasthenes. This eclectic approach reflects the Roman worldview of a universe governed by both rational order and miraculous phenomena, preserving a wealth of knowledge about the ancient world's peoples, animals, and customs.

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Categories

• Classics
• Science