Historical miscellany

Resource Information

The work Historical miscellany 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

Historical miscellany

Statement of responsibility

Aelian ; with an English translation by Nigel G. Wilson

Creator

• Aelian, active 3rd century
• Aelian, active 3rd century

Contributor

• Wilson, N. G., (Nigel Guy), 1935-
• Wilson, N. G., (Nigel Guy), 1935-

Subject

• History, Ancient

Language

• eng
• grc
• grc
• eng

Summary

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.

Member of

• Online access with purchase: Harvard University Press (Loeb Classical Library)
• Loeb Classical Library, 486

Cataloging source

MaCbHUP

Language note

Text in Greek with English translation on facing pages

LC call number

PA3821

LC item number

.A355 2014

Literary form

non fiction

Series statement

Loeb Classical Library

Series volume

486

Summary expansion

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)

Target audience

general