On Animals, Volume III - Books 12–17

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.

About the author

Alwyn Faber Scholfield (1884–1969) was University Librarian of Cambridge University.

Summary

In On the Characteristics of Animals, Aelian (ca. 170–after AD 230) collects facts and fables about the animal kingdom and invites the reader to ponder contrasts between human and animal behavior.

Product details

• Authors: Aelian, Claudius Aelian
• Assisted by: A. F. Scholfield (Translation), Scholfield A. F. (Translation)
• Publisher: University Presses
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 01.01.1959
• EAN: 9780674994942
• ISBN: 978-0-674-99494-2
• Weight: 318 g
• Illustrations: Greek and English indexes, classified catalogue of fauna, flora
• Series: Loeb Classical Library; Loeb Classical Library; Loeb Classical Library *CONTINS TO [e-mail]
• Subjects: Fiction > Narrative literature > Essays, feuilletons, literary criticism, interviews; Essays, LITERARY COLLECTIONS / Essays, Literary essays