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A review by 4lbxrtoii
Natural History: A Selection by Pliny the Elder, John F. Healey
4.0
“Art has always been the handmaid of nature.”
“The only certainty is that nothing is certain, and that nothing is more wretched or more arrogant than man.”
“True glory consists in doing what deserves to be written, in writing what deserves to be read, and in living so as to make the world happier and better for our living in it.”
Pliny the Elder’s Natural History is an impressive window into the worldview of ancient Rome—part science textbook, part encyclopedia, and part philosophical treatise. This selection highlights Pliny’s insatiable curiosity and attempts to catalog everything from astronomy to botany to art and human achievements.
What I loved most about this book is how it captures the sense of wonder and awe that drove Pliny to compile such a monumental work. His observations about nature and humanity are sometimes profound, sometimes amusing, and often thought-provoking. Quotes like “Nature is to be found in her entirety nowhere more than in her smallest creatures” really stayed with me.
That said, Natural History isn’t an easy read. The sheer scope of Pliny’s ambition can be overwhelming, and some sections feel like long lists rather than cohesive narratives. But the moments of insight, humor, and timeless wisdom make it worth the effort.
While it is fascinating and historically significant, it’s not always engaging by modern standards. Still, it’s a remarkable record of ancient knowledge and a testament to Pliny’s determination to understand the world. I’d recommend it to anyone interested in history, science, or the origins of encyclopedic thinking.
“The only certainty is that nothing is certain, and that nothing is more wretched or more arrogant than man.”
“True glory consists in doing what deserves to be written, in writing what deserves to be read, and in living so as to make the world happier and better for our living in it.”
Pliny the Elder’s Natural History is an impressive window into the worldview of ancient Rome—part science textbook, part encyclopedia, and part philosophical treatise. This selection highlights Pliny’s insatiable curiosity and attempts to catalog everything from astronomy to botany to art and human achievements.
What I loved most about this book is how it captures the sense of wonder and awe that drove Pliny to compile such a monumental work. His observations about nature and humanity are sometimes profound, sometimes amusing, and often thought-provoking. Quotes like “Nature is to be found in her entirety nowhere more than in her smallest creatures” really stayed with me.
That said, Natural History isn’t an easy read. The sheer scope of Pliny’s ambition can be overwhelming, and some sections feel like long lists rather than cohesive narratives. But the moments of insight, humor, and timeless wisdom make it worth the effort.
While it is fascinating and historically significant, it’s not always engaging by modern standards. Still, it’s a remarkable record of ancient knowledge and a testament to Pliny’s determination to understand the world. I’d recommend it to anyone interested in history, science, or the origins of encyclopedic thinking.