Pliny the Elder 
The Natural History of Pliny (Vol. 1-6) 
Complete Edition

Pliny the Elder’s ‘The Natural History of Pliny’ is a monumental work consisting of 37 volumes covering a wide range of topics including astronomy, botany, zoology, geography, and anthropology. Written in a detailed and encyclopedic style, this work provides valuable insights into ancient Roman knowledge and beliefs. Pliny’s observations and interpretations of the natural world showcase his curiosity and enthusiasm for exploring the universe around him. The literary context of the book reflects the author’s dedication to compiling and organizing vast amounts of information in a cohesive manner, making it a valuable resource for scholars and researchers interested in Roman culture and natural history. The meticulous attention to detail and the thoroughness of the content make ‘The Natural History of Pliny’ a significant contribution to the field of ancient literature and scientific thought. Pliny the Elder, a Roman author, and natural philosopher, drew inspiration from his own experiences as a military commander and administrator, as well as from his extensive travels throughout the Roman Empire. His background in various fields of study, coupled with his passion for learning and exploration, fueled his desire to create a comprehensive catalog of the natural world. Recommended for readers interested in ancient Roman history, natural sciences, and the intersection of literature and philosophy.

About the author

Gaius Plinius Secundus, known to history as Pliny the Elder, was a Roman author, naturalist, and natural philosopher who lived from AD 23/24 to 79. Pliny’s erudition was encyclopedic, and his seminal work, ‘The Natural History of Pliny’, stands as one of the largest single works to have survived from the Roman Empire to the modern day, aiming to document all human knowledge of the natural world. In this multivolume work, running from Volumes 1 to 6, Pliny attempted to cover a vast array of subjects, including geography, anthropology, medicine, and the arts, representing an invaluable resource for scholars of the ancient world. Distinguished by his tireless curiosity, Pliny’s literary style is noted for its exhaustive detail and wide-ranging content, reflecting the author’s ambition to compile a compendium of all known facts about the natural universe (Pliny the Elder, 1855). A contemporary of emperors and a commander in the Roman Empire, Pliny’s life ended with the same dedication to knowledge that marked his career: he died while investigating the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, an event that famously destroyed the city of Pompeii. Pliny’s work provides historians and scholars with an extraordinary glimpse into the breadth of intellectual pursuit in the ancient world and continues to be a subject of study and admiration in the field of classical literature.