Theophrastus: Enquiry into Plants, Volume I, Books 1-5 (Loeb Classical Library No. 70) - Hardcover

Theophrastus

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0674990773 ISBN 13: 9780674990777

Publisher: Harvard University Press, 1916

Synopsis

Theophrastus of Eresus in Lesbos, born about 370 BCE, is the author of the most important botanical works that have survived from classical antiquity. He was in turn student, collaborator, and successor of Aristotle. Like his predecessor he was interested in all aspects of human knowledge and experience, especially natural science. His writings on plants form a counterpart to Aristotle's zoological works.

In the Enquiry into Plants Theophrastus classifies and describes varieties—covering trees, plants of particular regions, shrubs, herbaceous plants, and cereals; in the last of the nine books he focuses on plant juices and medicinal properties of herbs. The Loeb Classical Library edition is in two volumes; the second contains two additional treatises: On Odours and Weather Signs.

In De Causis Plantarum Theophrastus turns to plant physiology. Books One and Two are concerned with generation, sprouting, flowering and fruiting, and the effects of climate. In Books Three and Four Theophrastus studies cultivation and agricultural methods. In Books Five and Six he discusses plant breeding; diseases and other causes of death; and distinctive flavours and odours.

Theophrastus's celebrated Characters is of a quite different nature. This collection of descriptive sketches is the earliest known character-writing and a striking reflection of contemporary life.

About this title

About the Author:

Sir Arthur Fenton Hort (1864–1935) was a botanist and Master at Harrow School.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harvard University Press
• Publication date: 1916
• ISBN 10: 0674990773
• ISBN 13: 9780674990777
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 512