On animals

Resource Information

The work On animals represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in University of Liverpool. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Language Material, Books.

Label

On animals

Statement of responsibility

Aelian ; with an English translation by A.F. Scholfield

Creator

• Aelian, active 3rd century

Contributor

• Scholfield, A. F., (Alwyn Faber), 1884-1969

Subject

• Zoology -- Pre-Linnean works

Genre

• Pre-Linnean works

Language

• eng
• grc
• grc
• eng

Summary

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

Member of

• De natura animalium
• Loeb Classical Library, 448-449
• Online access with purchase: Harvard University Press (Loeb Classical Library)
• Loeb Classical Library, 446

Cataloging source

MaCbHUP

Language note

Text in Greek with English translation on facing pages

LC call number

PA3612

LC item number

.A355 2014

Literary form

non fiction

Series statement

Loeb Classical Library

Series volume

446, 448-449

Summary expansion

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

Target audience

general