On animals / Aelian ; with an English translation by A.F. Scholfield.
| Author/creator | Aelian author. |
| Other author | Scholfield, A. F. (Alwyn Faber), 1884-1969, translator. |
| Other author | Aelian, active 3rd century. |
| Other author | Aelian, active 3rd century. |
| Format | Electronic |
| Publication | Cambridge, MA : Harvard University Press, 2014. |
| Description | 1 online resource : classified catalogue of fauna, flora. |
| Supplemental Content | v.1 |
| Supplemental Content | v.2 |
| Supplemental Content | v.3 |
| Subjects |
| Series | Loeb Classical Library ; 446, 448-449 Loeb classical library ; 446, 448-449. ^A467228 |
| Contents | v. I. Books 1-5 -- v. II. Books 6-11 -- v. III. Books 12-17. |
| Abstract | In On the Characteristics of Animals, Aelian (c. 170-after 230 CE) collects facts and fables about the animal kingdom and invites the reader to ponder contrasts between human and animal behavior. Aelian (Claudius Aelianus), a Roman born ca. AD 170 at Praeneste, was a pupil of the rhetorician Pausanias of Caesarea, and taught and practised rhetoric. Expert in Attic Greek, he became a serious scholar and studied history under the patronage of the Roman empress Julia Domna. He apparently spent all his life in Italy where he died after AD 230. Aelian's On the Characteristics of Animals, in 17 books, is a collection of facts and beliefs concerning the habits of animals drawn from Greek authors and some personal observation. Fact, fancy, legend, stories and gossip all play their part in a narrative which is meant to entertain readers. If there is any ethical motive, it is that the virtues of untaught yet reasoning animals can be a lesson to thoughtless and selfish mankind. The Loeb Classical Library edition of the work is in three volumes. The Historical Miscellany (Loeb no. 486) is of similar nature. In 14 books, it consists mainly of historical and biographical anecdotes and retellings of legendary events. Some of Aelian's material is drawn from authors whose works are lost. Aelian's Letters--portraying the affairs and country ways of a series of fictitious writers-offer engaging vignettes of rural life. These are available in Loeb no. 383. |
| General note | Includes indexes. |
| Technical details | Mode of access: World Wide Web. |
| Language | Text in Greek with English translation on facing pages. |
| Source of description | Description based on print version record. |
| Issued in other form | Print version: Aelian, active 3rd century. On animals. Cambridge, Mass. : Harvard University Press, 1958 9780674994911(v.1) 9780674994935(v.2) 9780674994942(v.3) |
| ISBN | (v. 1) print version |
| ISBN | (v. 2) print version |
| ISBN | (v. 3) print version |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic Resources | ✔ Available |