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Historical Miscellany

By Aelian
Series: Loeb Classical Library
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Historical Miscellany by Aelian is a captivating collection of anecdotes, retellings, and descriptive pieces from early third-century Rome. It reveals stories about renowned Greek philosophers, poets, historians, and playwrights, along with moral tales, cultural customs, and insights into Greek painting. The work combines Stoic philosophy with a profound appreciation of Greek culture, offering unique information unavailable elsewhere.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for enthusiasts of classical literature, historians of ancient Greece and Rome, and readers interested in cultural anecdotes and Stoic philosophy. Suitable for both scholars and general readers seeking a glimpse into antiquity.

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Aelian’s Historical Miscellany (Varia Historia) is a pleasurable example of light reading for Romans of the early third century. Offering engaging anecdotes about historical figures, retellings of legendary events, and enjoyable descriptive pieces, Aelian’s collection of nuggets and narratives appealed to a wide reading public.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Aelian's Historical Miscellany is a pleasurable example of light reading for Romans of the early third century. Offering engaging anecdotes about historical figures, retellings of legendary events, and enjoyable descriptive pieces, Aelian's collection of nuggets and narratives appealed to a wide reading public.

Here then are anecdotes about the famous Greek philosophers, poets, historians, and playwrights; myths instructively retold; moralizing tales about heroes and rulers, athletes and wise men; reports about food and drink, different styles in dress, lovers, gift-giving, entertainments, religious beliefs, and death customs; and comments on Greek painting. Some of the information is not preserved in any other source.

Underlying it all are Aelian's Stoic ideals as well as this Roman's great admiration for the culture of the Greeks (whose language he borrowed for his writings).

Series: Loeb Classical Library

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Critics praise Wilson's translation for its clarity and elegance, capturing Aelian's straightforward yet engaging style. Robert J. Penella notes it as an entertaining and instructive resource for 3rd-century educated readers, while A. J. Podlecki highlights the translation’s accuracy and eloquence, making this ancient bedside book accessible to modern readers.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780674995352

Publisher: Harvard University Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 15 July 1997

Country: United States

Imprint: Harvard University Press

Illustration: Index

Contributors:

  • Translated by N. G. Wilson
  • Translated by N. G. Wilson
  • Translated by N. G. Wilson
  • Translated by Nigel Guy Wilson

Audience: Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 25.0mm

Width: 108.0mm

Height: 162.0mm

Weight: 386g

Pages: 528

Collections

Aelian Arts & Culture Biography & Memoir Global History History & Archaeology History & Military Non-Fiction Series: Loeb Classical Library

About the Author

N. G. Wilson is Emeritus Fellow of Lincoln College, University of Oxford.

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