Hi Steve. I read a book called To The Letter by Simon Garfield last year. I am really interested in the history of correspondence, the post office and stamps. This book certainly scratch a itch. I loved it! One of the chapters was about Pliney the Elder and Pliney the Younger. About their writings and specifically their letters. Garfield talked about Pilneys responsibility in helping the citizens when Vesuvius erupted as that he rushed to help his fellow man. Pilney the younger was discussed as a type of biographer for his uncle. This book allowed me to catch a glimpse of two lives that I knew nothing about and now what to know more. Actually this is thanks to you too. Because of your videos I took the opportunity to pick up To The Letter. I did not read non fiction before. This was my first since childhood and I loved it so thank you for your encouragement!
Pliny the Elder didn't seem to be interested in doing much rescuing. He sailed past Herculanaeum and didn't stop there to pick anyone up. He instead when to his buddy's house at Stabiae I believe and took a leisurely bath there instead of evacuating everyone there immediately. Then went to sleep in his buddy's house and only had to leave when the roof was creaking.
Wouldn’t it be awesome if we ever stumbled upon a big collection of ancient literature that was once thought to be lost forever? (a discovery similar to the Dead Sea scrolls)
I think of Pliny’s Natural History as something akin to the Histories of Herodotus, where he is making enquiries and noting down all sorts of little details he finds in the natural world. I sometimes think science and mathematics lost that sense of digression (and the human spirit) when empiricism codified how science should/would be done, and that absence is part of why so many young students prefer their history classes.
Reading Daisy Dunn I had an impression that he died because he was a pigheaded Roman behaving like he thought an educated and dignified Roman in his position should. In other words that some smoke wouldn't scare a Roman who did both quite a bit of military service and civil service and thought that nature could be studied and subdued. I know you've read hundred times more on the subject than myself but that's what enraged me. She was trying to show him strong willed and brave and proud I guess and all I saw was a pigheaded old man who should have evacuated right away as soon as he reached his friend's house. Of course it might be that evacuation by water was impossible by that time. I don't know. I'll see what Pliny the Younger has to say on the topic and then probably consult Tacitus. Any suggestions?:))))
Ok, the reused olive oil is making me gag. I was wondering if you knew of a book that described the ancient libraries? From your description they sound more complex and beautiful than I had imagined. Believe it or not I do find that small bit about olive oil interesting, maybe not to read in one sitting, but to look through from time to time. Thank you again for these videos.
Hi Steve. I read a book called To The Letter by Simon Garfield last year. I am really interested in the history of correspondence, the post office and stamps. This book certainly scratch a itch. I loved it! One of the chapters was about Pliney the Elder and Pliney the Younger. About their writings and specifically their letters. Garfield talked about Pilneys responsibility in helping the citizens when Vesuvius erupted as that he rushed to help his fellow man. Pilney the younger was discussed as a type of biographer for his uncle. This book allowed me to catch a glimpse of two lives that I knew nothing about and now what to know more. Actually this is thanks to you too. Because of your videos I took the opportunity to pick up To The Letter. I did not read non fiction before. This was my first since childhood and I loved it so thank you for your encouragement!
Ok I'm sold, the olive oil passage was riveting!
Lol!
Pliny the Elder didn't seem to be interested in doing much rescuing. He sailed past Herculanaeum and didn't stop there to pick anyone up. He instead when to his buddy's house at Stabiae I believe and took a leisurely bath there instead of evacuating everyone there immediately. Then went to sleep in his buddy's house and only had to leave when the roof was creaking.
Wouldn’t it be awesome if we ever stumbled upon a big collection of ancient literature that was once thought to be lost forever? (a discovery similar to the Dead Sea scrolls)
I think of Pliny’s Natural History as something akin to the Histories of Herodotus, where he is making enquiries and noting down all sorts of little details he finds in the natural world. I sometimes think science and mathematics lost that sense of digression (and the human spirit) when empiricism codified how science should/would be done, and that absence is part of why so many young students prefer their history classes.
I love these penguin series.
Yes SteveO.. I heard there is some esoteric information in The Natural History. Would like to read it!!
I look forward to Your Daily Penguin......such an interesting series.
Reading Daisy Dunn I had an impression that he died because he was a pigheaded Roman behaving like he thought an educated and dignified Roman in his position should. In other words that some smoke wouldn't scare a Roman who did both quite a bit of military service and civil service and thought that nature could be studied and subdued. I know you've read hundred times more on the subject than myself but that's what enraged me. She was trying to show him strong willed and brave and proud I guess and all I saw was a pigheaded old man who should have evacuated right away as soon as he reached his friend's house. Of course it might be that evacuation by water was impossible by that time. I don't know. I'll see what Pliny the Younger has to say on the topic and then probably consult Tacitus. Any suggestions?:))))
Ok, the reused olive oil is making me gag. I was wondering if you knew of a book that described the ancient libraries? From your description they sound more complex and beautiful than I had imagined. Believe it or not I do find that small bit about olive oil interesting, maybe not to read in one sitting, but to look through from time to time. Thank you again for these videos.
The Natural History is full of crap, but a lot of it is pretty entertaining crap.