Natural History. Book XXXIII: Nature of Metals.
Beautiful Letters| N° d'inventaire | 3587 |
| Format | 11 x 18 |
| Détails | 126 p., paperback. |
| Publication | Paris, 1999 |
| Etat | Nine |
| ISBN | 9782251799469 |
Classic bilingual collection. Book XXXIII of Natural History marks a turning point in the work of Pliny the Elder: after the section devoted to living beings, this book inaugurates a new section in which Pliny deals with inanimate but precious materials – in this case gold and silver. The mythical origins, historical evolution, and various uses of these metals (jewelry, currency, wealth) are examined in turn. But Pliny is above all sensitive to the sociological and moral implications of his subject: the history of Roman currency that he describes, while not devoid of economic interest (price fluctuations), leads to a broad exposition devoted to wealth and its harmful effects. From technology, we move on to morality and the history of societies.
Classic bilingual collection. Book XXXIII of Natural History marks a turning point in the work of Pliny the Elder: after the section devoted to living beings, this book inaugurates a new section in which Pliny deals with inanimate but precious materials – in this case gold and silver. The mythical origins, historical evolution, and various uses of these metals (jewelry, currency, wealth) are examined in turn. But Pliny is above all sensitive to the sociological and moral implications of his subject: the history of Roman currency that he describes, while not devoid of economic interest (price fluctuations), leads to a broad exposition devoted to wealth and its harmful effects. From technology, we move on to morality and the history of societies.