Miniature by Andrea da Firenze from an edition of Natural History by Pliny the Elder, c. 1457–58, showing Pliny writing in his study, with landscape and animals; in the British Library.
Miniature by Andrea da Firenze from an edition of Natural History by Pliny the Elder, c. 1457–58, showing Pliny writing in his study, with landscape and animals; in the British Library.
Pliny the Elder, AD 23–79, Roman author, a naturalist and natural philosopher, a naval and army commander of the early Roman Empire, and a friend of emperor Vespasian.
(Pliny’s Natural History is an astonishingly ambitious wor...)
Pliny’s Natural History is an astonishingly ambitious work that ranges from astronomy to art and from geography to zoology. 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 water-clock, or the use of asses’ milk to remove wrinkles.
Pliny the Elder was a Roman natural philosopher who lived during the 1st century. A multi-faceted personality, he was also an author, naturalist, and a naval and army commander of the Early Roman Empire. He is best known for his work 'Pliny's Natural History' which was in Latin and explored the natural world. Until the middle ages, the book was considered a major authority on scientific matters.
Background
Though the exact date of his birth is unknown, Pliny's year of birth is estimated to be AD 23 or AD 24. His birthplace was the town of Novum Comum in the Roman Empire’s province of Transpadane Gaul. Pliny’s parents are not known to have been distinguished, but his father had means and was no doubt a respected member of the community.
Education
By the age of twelve Pliny was in Rome, where he must have received a thorough education in literature, oratory, and law, as well as some military training.
Career
When he was in his early twenties, Pliny entered the army as a junior officer. It was a custom for youths of equestrian rank. Soon, his interest and knowledge in Roman literature gained him the attention of several scholars, with whom he became good friends. Within a short while, he was able to enter the upper echelons of the state as well.
He began as a praefectus cohortis ‘commander of a cohort’, and served under Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo. A few years later, he took part in the Roman conquest of the Chauci, as well as the construction of a canal between two rivers named Maas and Rhine.
He was transferred to the command of Germania Superior after some time, where he served under Publius Secundus. Later, he was transferred back to Germania Inferior, and also promoted to proefectus alae or "commander of a wing".
He wrote his first book during this period, which was named ‘De jaculatione equestri’. The book was about the use of missiles on horseback. The book has not survived; however, in his work ‘Natural History’, some of its contents can be found. He wrote another 20 volume book named ‘Wars in Germany’.
He moved to Rome when he was around 36. During this time, the emperor was the infamous Nero, whom Pliny had a huge disdain for. He worked as a lawyer during the time in Rome. Having lost all his supporters and friends, Nero committed suicide in AD 68, which also put an end to his reign of terror.
After around a year, Vespasian, who was a good friend of Pliny, became the emperor. Like Pliny, he belonged to the equestrian class as well and had risen through the ranks of the equestrian class. He wanted to re-establish peace in the empire, as well as stabilize the economy. Pliny had a good relation with Vespasian throughout his rule and used to advise both him and his son during his stay in Rome.
Pliny avoided writing much during Nero’s reign in order to avoid drawing attention towards himself. However, during Vespasian’s rule, he was sure that the terror was over and wouldn’t resume, and he began working again. Sometime later, Vespasian did suppress the philosophers of Rome, but Pliny was not among them.
Pliny began working on "Natural History" in AD 77. The book, which was the most important work of his life, contained over a million words in 37 volumes and remains one of the most substantial ancient works that have survived to this day.
’Naturalis Historia’ or ‘Pliny’s Natural History’ was Pliny’s last work, as well the most important work of his life. The encyclopedia, who is one of the largest single works to have survived from the Roman Empire to this day, covers numerous subjects such as astronomy, mathematics, geography, zoology, botany, physiology, sculpture and painting. The book offers insights into nature, as well as the Roman conception of nature.
Astronomy is the first topic covered in the book. Pliny states that there are countless other bodies besides the earth. He describes the earth as a sphere suspended in the middle of space. He talks about eclipses and comets as well. He also writes about God and states that such a being would not care about the state of human affairs.
He discusses Zoology from Books VIII to XI. The elephant and the hippopotamus are described in detail. He also discusses bees, which he admired for their industry, organization as well as their honey. Most of the data was derived from Aristotle.
Botany is discussed from Books XII to XVIII. He explains about the various types of trees and the properties of their wood. He talks of spices such as pepper and ginger. He also talks of the medicinal value of sugar.
A significant portion of the book discusses matters related to medicine. He writes about plants that can provide useful drugs. He also addresses magic in Book XXX, where he also attacks astrology.
In Book XVIII, he talks about methods used to cultivate crops. He discusses all known cultivated crops and vegetables, along with herbs and remedies that can be derived from them.
In the last two books, he talks about several kinds of minerals and gemstones. He criticizes the obsessions with luxury products like engraved gems and hardstone carvings. He also writes about the shape of the diamond, and how the hardness of diamond dust can help gem engravers use it to cut and polish other gems. He also discusses how false gems can be detected.
Pliny also describes gold mining in detail, along with methods of underground mining. One of the books also talks about base metals, their uses, and extraction.
Pliny’s attitude to religion was a typically Roman blend of credulity and skepticism.
Views
Pliny’s motto in life was “To live is to be awake”.
Quotations:
“If the whole were massed together and thrown on to one great heap, the grandeur that would tower above us would be as if some other world were being described, all concentrated in one single place.”
Personality
Physical Characteristics:
Even in later life, when Pliny suffered from respiratory trouble, his mental stamina was exceptional. He never needed much sleep.
Connections
There is no evidence that Pliny was married. He adopted as his son and heir, perhaps in his will, his nephew Pliny the Younger.