Liba Taub Knihy

Liba Taub gives an overview of the major developments in early science between the 8th century BC and 6th century AD. Focussing on Greece and Rome, she discusses the key thinkers and their theories, and traces the evolution of ideas concerning the natural world and its operation, and considers the influence these ideas have had on later centuries.

The first book of its kind in English, Ancient Meteorology discusses Greek and Roman approaches and attitudes to this broad discipline, which in classical antiquity included not only 'weather', but occurrences such as earthquakes and comets that today would be regarded as geological, astronomical or seismological. The range and diversity of this literature highlights the question of scholarly authority in antiquity and illustrates how writers responded to the meteorological information presented by their literary predecessors. Ancient Meteorology will be a valuable reference tool for classicists and those with an interest in the history of science.

We access Greek and Roman scientific ideas mainly through those texts which happen to survive. By concentrating only on the ideas conveyed, we may limit our understanding of the meaning of those ideas in their historical context. Through considering the diverse ways in which scientific ideas were communicated, in different types of texts, we can uncover otherwise hidden meanings and more fully comprehend the historical contexts in which those ideas were produced and shared, the aims of the authors and the expectations of ancient readers. Liba Taub explores the rich variety of formats used to discuss scientific, mathematical and technical subjects, from c.700 BCE to the sixth century CE. Each chapter concentrates on a particular genre - poetry, letter, encyclopaedia, commentary and biography - offering an introduction to Greek and Roman scientific ideas, while using a selection of ancient writings to focus on the ways in which we encounter them.

Aude Doody and Liba Taub Introduction Harry M. Hine Subjectivity and Objectivity in Latin Scientific and Technical Literature Alice König From Architect to Imperator: Vitruvius and his Addressee in the De Architectura Vivian Nutton Galen's Authorical Voice: a Preliminary Enquiry Todd Curtis Didactic and Rhetorical Strategies in Galen's De pulsibus ad tirones Laurence M. V. Totelin Galnes's Use of Multiple Manuscript Copies in his Pharmacological Treatises Aude Doody Authority and Authorship in the Medicina Plinii David Leith Question-Types in Medical Catechism on Papyrus Liba Taub Explaining a Volcana Naturally: Aetna and the Choice of Poetry