Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, "Geoponici" to "Germany" / Volume 11, Slice 7

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

37523

Title

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, "Geoponici" to "Germany" / Volume 11, Slice 7

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume of the Eleventh Edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica offers a comprehensive survey of diverse topics ranging from ancient agricultural treatises to the lives of saints, the industrial might of Germany, and the turbulent history of the Holy Roman Empire. Written by various contributors, it blends historical analysis, statistical data, and legendary narrative to provide authoritative insights into arts, sciences, and general information.

Summary up to 500 words

This volume of the Eleventh Edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica offers a diverse historical and economic survey, beginning with an examination of agricultural literature. The entry on 'Geoponici' traces the history of farming treatises from Greek antiquity through the medieval period. It highlights key authors such as Xenophon, who praised agriculture's ethical benefits, and the Romans who elevated farming to a status nearly equal to soldiering. The text details the works of Cato, Varro, and the influential Columella, noting how Roman agricultural science spread to Gaul and Spain. The narrative then shifts to the biography of Saint George, a martyr venerated across Christendom and Islam. While historical evidence for his specific deeds is debated, his legend of slaying a dragon evolved from pagan myths, securing his status as the patron saint of England and other nations. The volume transitions to a modern economic profile of Germany, presenting extensive statistics on its industrial might. It details the vast coal fields of the Saar and Silesia, the iron production centers in Westphalia and the Rhineland, and the dominance of German steelworks like those of Krupp. The text outlines the rapid expansion of textile manufacturing, particularly in Saxony and Silesia, and describes the nation's leadership in machine and engine production. Furthermore, the volume covers the pivotal Investiture Controversy, narrating the conflict between Emperor Henry IV and Pope Gregory VII. This struggle over the appointment of church officials led to Henry's famous Walk to Canossa and the eventual compromise of the Concordat of Worms, which settled the dispute by granting the clergy the right to elect prelates while reserving the emperor's authority over their temporal fiefs. The work serves as both a historical record and a practical reference for the late 19th and early 20th centuries, illustrating the intersection of ancient wisdom, medieval legend, and modern industrial power.

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Categories

• Encyclopedias and dictionaries