Natural History Volume 2, The

By Pliny the Elder

Book Id: WPLBN0002950953
Format Type:
File Size: 404.76 MB
Reproduction Date: 2011

Title:	Natural History Volume 2, The
Author:	Pliny the Elder
Volume:
Language:	English
Subject:	Non-fiction, Ancient Texts, Classics (antiquity)
Collections:	Audio Books Collection, Natural History Volume 2, The
Historic Publication Date:	1855
Publisher:	LibriVox Audio Books


Citation APA MLA Chicago The Elder, B. P., & Bostock, J. (1855). Natural History Volume 2, The. Retrieved from http://gutenberg.us/

Description
Naturalis Historia (Latin for Natural History) is an encyclopedia published circa AD 77-79 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 the entire field of ancient knowledge, based on the best authorities available to Pliny. The work became a model for all later encyclopedias in terms of the breadth of subject matter examined, the need to reference original authors, and a comprehensive index list of the contents. The scheme of his great work is vast and comprehensive, being nothing short of an encyclopedia of learning and of art so far as they are connected with nature or draw their materials from nature. The work divides neatly into the organic world of plants and animals, and the realm of inorganic matter, although there are frequent digressions in each section. He is especially interested in not just describing the occurrence of plants, animals and insects, but also their exploitation (or abuse) by man, especially Romans. The description of metals and minerals is particularly detailed, and valuable for the history of science as being the most extensive compilation still available from the ancient world. (Summary from Wikipedia) This second volume includes books six to ten, covering the following subjects: Book 6- An account of countries, nations, seas, towns, havens, mountains, rivers, distances, and peoples who now exist or formerly existed Book 6 - Man, his birth, his organization and the invention of the arts Book 8 - The nature of the terrestrial animals Book 9 - The natural history of fishes Book 10 - The natural history of birds

Summary
Electronic recorded live performance of a reading

Excerpt
Ancient Texts, Classics (antiquity), Instruction, Nature