1. Hesiod, Works And Days, 173, 172 (8th cent. BCE - 7th cent. BCE)
| 172. Live far from others. Thus they came to dwell |
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2. Homer, Odyssey, 4.567-4.568 (8th cent. BCE - 7th cent. BCE)
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3. Plato, Statesman, None (5th cent. BCE - 4th cent. BCE)
| 271e. o that no creature was wild, nor did they eat one another, and there was no war among them, nor any strife whatsoever. To tell all the other consequences of such an order of the world would be an endless task. But the reason for the story of the spontaneous life of mankind is as follows: Str. God himself was their shepherd, watching over them, just as man, being an animal of different and more divine nature than the rest, now tends the lower species of animals. And under his care there were no states |
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4. Varro, On Agriculture, 1.2.3-1.2.7, 1.7.6, 2.10.1 (2nd cent. BCE - 1st cent. BCE)
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5. Catullus, Poems, 68.70 (1st cent. BCE - 1st cent. BCE)
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6. Dionysius of Halycarnassus, Roman Antiquities, 1.36-1.37 (1st cent. BCE - 1st cent. BCE)
| 1.36. 1. There is another legend related by the inhabitants, to the effect that before the reign of Jupiter Saturn was lord in this land and that the celebrated manner of life in his reign, abounding in the produce of every season, was enjoyed by none more than them.,2. And, indeed, if anyone, setting aside the fabulous part of this account, will examine the merit of any country from which mankind received the greatest enjoyments immediately after their birth, whether they sprang from the earth, according to the ancient tradition, or came into being in some other manner, he will find none more beneficent to them than this. For, to compare one country with another of the same extent, Italy is, in my opinion, the best country, not only of Europe, but even of all the rest of the world.,3. And yet I am not unaware that I shall not be believed by many when they reflect on Egypt, Libya, Babylonia and any other fertile countries there may be. But I, for my part, do not limit the wealth derived from the soil to one sort of produce, nor do I feel any eagerness to live where there are only rich arable lands and little or nothing else that is useful; but I account that country the best which is the most self-sufficient and generally stands least in need of imported commodities. And I am persuaded that Italy enjoys this universal fertility and diversity of advantages beyond any other land. 1.37. 1. For Italy does not, while possessing a great deal of good arable land, lack trees, as does a grain-bearing country; nor, on the other hand, while suitable for growing all manner of trees, does it, when sown to grain, produce scanty crops, as does a timbered country; nor yet, while yielding both grain and trees in abundance, is it unsuitable for the grazing of cattle; nor can anyone say that, while it bears rich produce of crops and timber and herds, it is nevertheless disagreeable for men to live in. Nay, on the contrary, it abounds in practically everything that affords either pleasure or profit.,2. To what grain-bearing country, indeed, watered, not with rivers, but with rains from heaven, do the plains of Campania yield, in which I have seen fields that produce even three crops in a year, summer's harvest following upon that of winter and autumn's upon that of summer? To what olive orchards are those of the Messapians, the Daunians, the Sabines and many others inferior? To what vineyards those of Tyrrhenia and the Alban and the Falernian districts, where the soil is wonderfully kind to vines and with the least labour produces the finest grapes in the greatest abundance?,3. And besides the land that is cultivated one will find much that is left untilled as pasturage for sheep and goats, and still more extensive and more wonderful is the land suitable for grazing horses and cattle; for not only the marsh and meadow grass, which is very plentiful, but the dewy and well-watered grass of the glades, infinite in its abundance, furnish grazing for them in summer as well as in winter and keep them always in good condition.,4. But most wonderful of all are the forests growing upon the rocky heights, in the glens and on the uncultivated hills, from which the inhabitants are abundantly supplied with fine timber suitable for the building of ships as well as for all other purposes. Nor are any of these materials hard to come at or at a distance from human need, but they are easy to handle and readily available, owing to the multitude of rivers that flow through the whole peninsula and make the transportation and exchange of everything the land produces inexpensive.,5. Springs also of hot water have been discovered in many places, affording most pleasant baths and sovereign cures for chronic ailments. There are also mines of all sorts, plenty of wild beasts for hunting, and a great variety of sea fish, besides innumerable other things, some useful and others of a nature to excite wonder. But the finest thing of all is the climate, admirably tempered by the seasons, so that less than elsewhere is harm done by excessive cold or inordinate heat either to the growing fruits and grains or to the bodies of animals. |
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7. Lucretius Carus, On The Nature of Things, 1.156-1.183, 1.586, 2.48-2.49, 2.300-2.302, 2.317-2.332, 2.621, 2.629-2.630, 2.1030-2.1039, 3.416, 4.414-4.419, 5.206-5.217, 5.911-5.912, 5.1252-5.1257, 5.1281-5.1349, 5.1367-5.1369, 5.1403-5.1404, 6.675-6.677, 6.906-6.907 (1st cent. BCE - 1st cent. BCE)
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8. Ovid, Fasti, 1.337-1.348 (1st cent. BCE - 1st cent. CE)
| 1.337. Cornmeal, and glittering grains of pure salt 1.338. Were once the means for men to placate the gods. 1.339. No foreign ship had yet brought liquid myrrh 1.340. Extracted from tree’s bark, over the ocean waves: 1.341. Euphrates had not sent incense, nor India balm 1.342. And the threads of yellow saffron were unknown. 1.343. The altar was happy to fume with Sabine juniper 1.344. And the laurel burned with a loud crackling. 1.345. He was rich, whoever could add violet 1.346. To garlands woven from meadow flowers. 1.347. The knife that bares the entrails of the stricken bull 1.348. Had no role to perform in the sacred rites. |
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9. Ovid, Metamorphoses, 1.107-1.108 (1st cent. BCE - 1st cent. CE)
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10. Propertius, Elegies, 3.22.17 (1st cent. BCE
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11. Strabo, Geography, 6.4.1 (1st cent. BCE - 1st cent. BCE)
| 6.4.1. Such, indeed, is the size and such the character of Italy. And while I have already mentioned many things which have caused the Romans at the present time to be exalted to so great a height, I shall now indicate the most important things. One is, that, like an island, Italy is securely guarded by the seas on all sides, except in a few regions, and even these are fortified by mountains that are hardly passable. A second is that along most of its coast it is harborless and that the harbors it does have are large and admirable. The former is useful in meeting attacks from the outside, while the latter is helpful in making counter-attacks and in promoting an abundant commerce. A third is that it is characterized by many differences of air and temperature, on which depend the greater variation, whether for better or for worse, in animals, plants, and, in short, everything that is useful for the support of life. Its length extends from north to south, generally speaking, and Sicily counts as an addition to its length, already so great. Now mild temperature and harsh temperature of the air are judged by heat, cold, and their intermediates; and so from this it necessarily follows that what is now Italy, situated as it is between the two extremes and extending to such a length, shares very largely in the temperate zone and in a very large number of ways. And the following is still another advantage which has fallen to the lot of Italy; since the Apennine Mountains extend through the whole of its length and leave on both sides plains and hills which bear fine fruits, there is no part of it which does not enjoy the blessings of both mountain and plain. And add also to this the size and number of its rivers and its lakes, and, besides these, the fountains of water, both hot and cold, which in many places nature has provided as an aid to health, and then again its good supply of mines of all sorts. Neither can one worthily describe Italy's abundant supply of fuel, and of food both for men and beast, and the excellence of its fruits. Further, since it lies intermediate between the largest races on the one hand, and Greece and the best parts of Libya on the other, it not only is naturally well-suited to hegemony, because it surpasses the countries that surround it both in the valor of its people and in size, but also can easily avail itself of their services, because it is close to them. |
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12. Vergil, Eclogues, 2.45-2.55, 4.21-4.22, 4.24, 4.32, 4.39 (1st cent. BCE - 1st cent. BCE)
| 2.45. ‘Mine once,’ quoth he, ‘now yours, as heir to own.’ 2.46. Foolish Amyntas heard and envied me. 2.47. Ay, and two fawns, I risked my neck to find 2.48. in a steep glen, with coats white-dappled still 2.49. from a sheep's udders suckled twice a day— 2.50. these still I keep for you; which Thestili 2.51. implores me oft to let her lead away; 2.52. and she shall have them, since my gifts you spurn. 2.53. Come hither, beauteous boy; for you the Nymph 2.54. bring baskets, see, with lilies brimmed; for you 2.55. plucking pale violets and poppy-heads 4.21. be seen of them, and with his father's worth 4.22. reign o'er a world at peace. For thee, O boy 4.24. her childish gifts, the gadding ivy-spray 4.32. die shall the treacherous poison-plant, and far 4.39. and stubborn oaks sweat honey-dew. Nathle |
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13. Vergil, Georgics, 1.118-1.146, 1.155, 1.160, 1.168, 1.270, 1.273-1.275, 1.493-1.497, 1.508, 2.9, 2.108-2.113, 2.115-2.176, 2.207-2.211, 2.473-2.474, 2.532-2.538, 3.63-3.71, 3.339-3.348 (1st cent. BCE - 1st cent. BCE)
| 1.118. Hales o'er them; from the far Olympian height 1.119. Him golden Ceres not in vain regards; 1.120. And he, who having ploughed the fallow plain 1.121. And heaved its furrowy ridges, turns once more 1.122. Cross-wise his shattering share, with stroke on stroke 1.123. The earth assails, and makes the field his thrall. 1.124. Pray for wet summers and for winters fine 1.125. Ye husbandmen; in winter's dust the crop 1.126. Exceedingly rejoice, the field hath joy; 1.127. No tilth makes placeName key= 1.128. Nor Gargarus his own harvests so admire. 1.129. Why tell of him, who, having launched his seed 1.130. Sets on for close encounter, and rakes smooth 1.131. The dry dust hillocks, then on the tender corn 1.132. Lets in the flood, whose waters follow fain; 1.133. And when the parched field quivers, and all the blade 1.134. Are dying, from the brow of its hill-bed 1.135. See! see! he lures the runnel; down it falls 1.136. Waking hoarse murmurs o'er the polished stones 1.137. And with its bubblings slakes the thirsty fields? 1.138. Or why of him, who lest the heavy ear 1.139. O'erweigh the stalk, while yet in tender blade 1.140. Feeds down the crop's luxuriance, when its growth 1.141. First tops the furrows? Why of him who drain 1.142. The marsh-land's gathered ooze through soaking sand 1.143. Chiefly what time in treacherous moons a stream 1.144. Goes out in spate, and with its coat of slime 1.145. Holds all the country, whence the hollow dyke 1.146. Sweat steaming vapour? 1.155. The slumbering glebe, whetting the minds of men 1.160. Even this was impious; for the common stock 1.168. Might forge the various arts, with furrow's help 1.270. Aye, more than time to bend above the plough 1.273. Thee, too, Lucerne, the crumbling furrows then 1.274. Receive, and millet's annual care returns 1.275. What time the white bull with his gilded horn 1.493. Stalks on the dry sand mateless and alone. 1.494. Nor e'en the maids, that card their nightly task 1.495. Know not the storm-sign, when in blazing crock 1.496. They see the lamp-oil sputtering with a growth 1.497. of mouldy snuff-clots. 1.508. Seek more the vales, and rest upon the plain 2.9. Hither, O Father of the wine-press, come 2.108. Are set herein, and—no long time—behold! 2.109. To heaven upshot with teeming boughs, the tree 2.110. Strange leaves admires and fruitage not its own. 2.111. Nor of one kind alone are sturdy elms 2.112. Willow and lotus, nor the cypress-tree 2.113. of Ida; nor of self-same fashion spring 2.115. And bitter-berried pausians, no, nor yet 2.116. Apples and the forests of Alcinous; 2.117. Nor from like cuttings are Crustumian pear 2.118. And Syrian, and the heavy hand-fillers. 2.119. Not the same vintage from our trees hangs down 2.120. Which placeName key= 2.121. Vines Thasian are there, Mareotids white 2.122. These apt for richer soils, for lighter those: 2.123. Psithian for raisin-wine more useful, thin 2.124. Lageos, that one day will try the feet 2.125. And tie the tongue: purples and early-ripes 2.126. And how, O Rhaetian, shall I hymn thy praise? 2.127. Yet cope not therefore with Falernian bins. 2.128. Vines Aminaean too, best-bodied wine 2.129. To which the Tmolian bows him, ay, and king 2.130. Phanaeus too, and, lesser of that name 2.131. Argitis, wherewith not a grape can vie 2.132. For gush of wine-juice or for length of years. 2.133. Nor thee must I pass over, vine of placeName key= 2.134. Welcomed by gods and at the second board 2.135. Nor thee, Bumastus, with plump clusters swollen. 2.136. But lo! how many kinds, and what their names 2.137. There is no telling, nor doth it boot to tell; 2.138. Who lists to know it, he too would list to learn 2.139. How many sand-grains are by Zephyr tossed 2.140. On placeName key= 2.141. With fury on the ships, how many wave 2.142. Come rolling shoreward from the Ionian sea. 2.143. Not that all soils can all things bear alike. 2.144. Willows by water-courses have their birth 2.145. Alders in miry fens; on rocky height 2.146. The barren mountain-ashes; on the shore 2.147. Myrtles throng gayest; Bacchus, lastly, love 2.148. The bare hillside, and yews the north wind's chill. 2.149. Mark too the earth by outland tillers tamed 2.150. And Eastern homes of Arabs, and tattooed 2.151. Geloni; to all trees their native land 2.152. Allotted are; no clime but placeName key= 2.153. Black ebony; the branch of frankincense 2.154. Is placeName key= 2.155. of balsams oozing from the perfumed wood 2.156. Or berries of acanthus ever green? 2.157. of Aethiop forests hoar with downy wool 2.158. Or how the Seres comb from off the leave 2.159. Their silky fleece? of groves which placeName key= 2.160. Ocean's near neighbour, earth's remotest nook 2.161. Where not an arrow-shot can cleave the air 2.162. Above their tree-tops? yet no laggards they 2.163. When girded with the quiver! Media yield 2.164. The bitter juices and slow-lingering taste 2.165. of the blest citron-fruit, than which no aid 2.166. Comes timelier, when fierce step-dames drug the cup 2.167. With simples mixed and spells of baneful power 2.168. To drive the deadly poison from the limbs. 2.169. Large the tree's self in semblance like a bay 2.170. And, showered it not a different scent abroad 2.171. A bay it had been; for no wind of heaven 2.172. Its foliage falls; the flower, none faster, clings; 2.173. With it the Medes for sweetness lave the lips 2.174. And ease the panting breathlessness of age. 2.175. But no, not Mede-land with its wealth of woods 2.176. Nor Ganges fair, and Hermus thick with gold 2.207. Or sing her harbours, and the barrier cast 2.208. Athwart the Lucrine, and how ocean chafe 2.209. With mighty bellowings, where the Julian wave 2.210. Echoes the thunder of his rout, and through 2.211. Avernian inlets pours the Tuscan tide? 2.473. Nor cold by hoar-frost curdled, nor the prone 2.474. Dead weight of summer upon the parched crags 2.532. Apples, moreover, soon as first they feel 2.533. Their stems wax lusty, and have found their strength 2.534. To heaven climb swiftly, self-impelled, nor crave 2.535. Our succour. All the grove meanwhile no le 2.536. With fruit is swelling, and the wild haunts of bird 2.537. Blush with their blood-red berries. Cytisu 2.538. Is good to browse on, the tall forest yield 3.63. From the first birth-dawn of Tithonus old. 3.64. If eager for the prized Olympian palm 3.65. One breed the horse, or bullock strong to plough 3.66. Be his prime care a shapely dam to choose. 3.67. of kine grim-faced is goodliest, with coarse head 3.68. And burly neck, whose hanging dewlaps reach 3.69. From chin to knee; of boundless length her flank; 3.70. Large every way she is, large-footed even 3.71. With incurved horns and shaggy ears beneath. 3.339. Not toward thy rising, Eurus, or the sun's 3.340. But westward and north-west, or whence up-spring 3.341. Black Auster, that glooms heaven with rainy cold. 3.342. Hence from their groin slow drips a poisonous juice 3.343. By shepherds truly named hippomanes 3.344. Hippomanes, fell stepdames oft have culled 3.345. And mixed with herbs and spells of baneful bode. 3.346. Fast flies meanwhile the irreparable hour 3.347. As point to point our charmed round we trace. 3.348. Enough of herds. This second task remains |
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14. Vitruvius Pollio, On Architecture, 6.1.9-6.1.11 (1st cent. BCE - 1st cent. BCE)
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15. Pliny The Elder, Natural History, 3.40-3.42, 36.101, 37.202 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
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