Pliny the Elder

Though the exact date of his birth is unknown, Pliny's year of birth is estimated to be AD 23 or AD 24. His father's name was Gaius Plinius Celer, who worked as an equestrian while his mother's name was Marcella. His birthplace was the town of Novum Comum in the Roman Empire’s province of Transpadane Gaul. His birth name was Gaius Plinius Secundus.

His family was wealthy and belonged to the equestrian class, which was the empire’s municipal governing class. Its members were expected to perform military service as well. Pliny also had a sister named Plinia. She was the mother of Pliny the Younger, who described Pliny the Elder's work and study regimen in detail through his letters.

At a young age, Pliny was taken by his father to Rome where he studied lawmaking. Caligula, who was Rome's emperor at the time, was meanwhile imposing a reign of terror on people whom he suspected to be dissenters.

When he was in his early twenties, Pliny entered the army as a junior officer. It was a custom for youths of equestrian rank. Soon, his interest and knowledge in Roman literature gained him the attention of several scholars, with whom he became good friends. Within a short while he was able to enter the upper echelons of the state as well.

He began as a praefectus cohortis ‘commander of a cohort’, and served under Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo. Few years later, he took part in the Roman conquest of the Chauci, as well as the construction of a canal between two rivers named Maas and Rhine.

He was transferred to the command of Germania Superior after some time, where he served under Publius Secundus. Later, he was transferred back to Germania Inferior, and also promoted to proefectus alae or ‘commander of a wing’.

He wrote his first book during this period, which was named ‘De jaculatione equestri’. The book was about the use of missiles on horseback. The book has not survived; however, in his work ‘Natural History’, some of its contents can be found. He wrote another 20 volume book named ‘Wars in Germany’.

He moved to Rome when he was around 36. During this time, the emperor was the infamous Nero, whom Pliny had a huge disdain for. He worked as a lawyer during time in Rome. Having lost all his supporters and friends, Nero committed suicide in AD 68, which also put an end to his reign of terror.

’Naturalis Historia’ or ‘Pliny’s Natural History’ was Pliny’s last work, as well the most important work of his life. The encyclopedia, who is one of the largest single works to have survived from the Roman Empire to this day, covers numerous subjects such as astronomy, mathematics, geography, zoology, botany, physiology, sculpture and painting. The book offers insights into nature, as well as the Roman conception of nature.

Astronomy is the first topic covered in the book. Pliny states that there are countless other bodies besides the earth. He describes the earth as a sphere suspended in the middle of space. He talks about eclipses and comets as well. He also writes about God and states that such a being would not care about state of human affairs.

He discusses Zoology from Books VIII to XI. The elephant and the hippopotamus are described in detail. He also discusses bees, which he admired for their industry, organization as well as their honey. Most of the data was derived from Aristotle.

Botany is discussed from Books XII to XVIII. He explains about the various types of trees, and the properties of their wood. He talks of spices such as pepper and ginger. He also talks of the medicinal value of sugar.

A significant portion of the book discusses matters related to medicine. He writes about plants that can provide useful drugs. He also addresses magic in Book XXX, where he also attacks astrology.