The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 6 (of 6) by the Elder Pliny

Chapter 40 of this Book.

2152 words  |  Chapter 144

[2080] Built by Augustus in the Ninth Region of the City, in honour of his sister Octavia. [2081] See Chapter 36. [2082] Bacchus. [2083] And so caused his death by falling from his chariot. See the “Hippolytus” of Euripides. [2084] Near the Theatre of Pompey, in the Ninth Region of the City. [2085] “Caricatures.” Sillig thinks it not unlikely that Gryllus was painted with a pig’s face, that animal being signified by the Greek word γρυλλὸς. [2086] See Chapter 40 of this Book. [2087] See Chapter 6 of this Book. [2088] In the original, as given by Sillig, “Plautiu, Marcus Cleœtas.” That commentator supposes him to have been a Greek by birth, and adopted into the Plautian family, on being made a citizen of Rome. [2089] “Euripi.” See B. ii. c. 100, B. viii. c. 40, and B. ix. cc. 22, 80. The landscape paintings on the interior walls of houses at Herculaneum and Pompeii may be taken as specimens of this artist’s style. [2090] “Succollatis sponsione mulieribus.” This passage appears to be a mass of confusion, in spite of Sillig’s attempts to amend and explain it. The meaning can only be guessed at, not given with any degree of certainty: of Ludius himself, no further particulars are known. [2091] The “hypæthra” or promenades. [2092] Most editions give “Famulus.” Nothing further is known of him. [2093] See B. xxxvi. c. 24. [2094] Both in the First Region of the City, near the Capenian Gate. [2095] See Chapter 41 of this Book, where the difficulties attending this description will be considered. [2096] See Chapter 36 of this Book. [2097] See Chapter 35 of this Book. [2098] Possibly the artist of that name mentioned by Athenæus, B. x., as a tutor of Apelles. If so, he must have flourished about the ninety-seventh Olympiad. [2099] Elasippus “inburned” this picture, _i.e._ executed it in encaustic. From the Attic form of this word, it has been concluded that he was an Athenian. The spelling of his name is very doubtful. [2100] See Chapter 36 of this Book. [2101] Two paintings of his at Epidaurus are mentioned by Pausanias, B. ii. c. 27. [2102] And _not_ in encaustic; though, as we shall see in Chapter 41, the brush was sometimes used in this branch. [2103] The “One day” picture. [2104] See B. xxi. c. 3. [2105] The “Chaplet-wearer.” See B. xxi. c. 3. [2106] The “Chaplet-seller.” [2107] A “correct” copy. [2108] “In confracto.” Meaning probably the group of the surrounding spectators, on which the shadow of the animal’s body was thrown. It is evident that this artist excelled in his effect of light and shade, enhanced by contrasts, and strong foreshortenings.”—Wornum, Smith’s Dict. Antiq. Art. _Painting_. [2109] A.U.C. 678. See B. xxxvi. c. 24. [2110] Mentioned also in B. xxxiv. c. 19. [2111] Praised by Pausanias, B. i. It was in this combat, he says, that Gryllus, the son of Xenophon, and Epaminondas the Theban, first distinguished themselves. [2112] “Carne.” Beef, according to Plutarch, was the flesh mentioned. [2113] The dress of the Greek philosophers, more particularly. [2114] Born in the island of Cythnos, one of the Cyclades. He is supposed to be the artist mentioned by Theophrastus, De Lapid. c. 95. [2115] It is supposed by Sillig, from Dio Cassius, B. liii. c. 27, that this painting was transferred by M. Vipsanius Agrippa, to the Portico of Neptune. [2116] See Chapter 20 of this Book, where he is mentioned as having been the first artist who used “usta” or burnt ceruse. From Pausanias we learn that his remains were interred at Athens, in the road leading to the Academia. [2117] Chiaroscuro. [2118] In Chapter 10 of this Book. [2119] Bacchus. [2120] In the Eighth Region of the City. [2121] Spoken of by Pausanias, B. iii. c. 19. [2122] In the Forum at Rome. [2123] See Chapter 36 of this Book, Note 2025, p. 261. [2124] “Place of the prophecies of the dead;” in reference to the description of the Infernal Regions in the Fourth Book of the Odyssey. [2125] See Chapter 37 of this Book. [2126] See B. iv. c. 18. [2127] Supposed by Hardouin to be the writer mentioned at the end of B. vii. and B. x.: or perhaps, “a chief” of an Athenian tribe. [2128] A “group of kindred.” [2129] A disciple of Carneades. See the list of writers at the end of this Book. [2130] B.C. 168. [2131] Represented in a sitting posture, as mentioned by Ovid, Trist. II. 525, and by Philostratus, Vit. Apol. B. II. c. 10. The Medea is described in an Epigram in B. iv. of the Greek Anthology, imitated by Ausonius, Epigr. 22. [2132] See Note 2116 above. [2133] Medusa, slain by Perseus. [2134] In the former editions, “Mecophanes.” [2135] Or ochre. See B. xxxiii. c. 56. [2136] Health, Brightness, and All-heal. [2137] Greek for “sluggard.” [2138] Probably, from the context, a pupil, also, of Pausias. [2139] In pencil painting, and in encaustic. [2140] Probably the same painter that is mentioned in Chapter 37. [2141] An effect for which Schalken is famous. [2142] “Shading his eyes.” [2143] Son and pupil of Aglaopho, and brother of Polygnotus. He was probably a native of Thasos. [2144] See Chapter 36, Note 2029, page 261. [2145] “Dolus.” An emblematical picture evidently, probably representing the events just prior to the capture of Troy. [2146] A famous diver, mentioned by Herodotus, B. viii. c. 8, Pausanias, B. x. c. 19, and Strabo, B. ix. [2147] Probably the wife of Seleucus, given by him to his son Antiochus. See B. vii. c. 37, Note 1165. [2148] That they should rebuild the walls of Troy. [2149] His contest with Corragus the Macedonian, whom he defeated, is mentioned also by Ælian, Diodorus Siculus, Athenæus, and Quintus Curtius. [2150] Gained “without raising the dust,” _i.e._ without any difficulty. [2151] This is perhaps the meaning of “stemmata;” “heraldic pictures,” probably. See Juvenal, Sat. viii. l. 2. [2152] Suidas seems to mention him, under the name of “Ctesiochus,” as the brother of Apelles. [2153] Who was said to have been born from the thigh of Jove. [2154] Or cap; see Chapter 35 of this Book. [2155] By Hercules, when he demanded Iole of her father Eurytus, king of Œchalia. [2156] See Note 2147 above. [2157] Several Cratini were distinguished as Comic writers, but we do not read in any other author of any one of them being a painter. The reading is doubtful. [2158] A building at the entrance into Athens, whence the “pompæ,” or solemn processions, set out. [2159] Hardouin thinks that this was the victory gained by Aratus of Sicyon over Aristippus, the Tyrant of Argos. If so, Leontiscus must have flourished about Olymp. 136. [2160] Caused by the anger of Juno. In this fit of insanity he slew his wife Megara and her children. [2161] See also Chapter 36. From Plutarch we learn that he was greatly in favour with Aratus of Sicyon. [2162] According to Brotero, a representation of the Ass and Crocodile was found in the pictorial embellishments at Herculaneum. [2163] See B. xvii. c. 36, B. xviii. c. 56, and B. xix. c. 24. [2164] “Theodoras” in most of the editions. [2165] See Chapter 36 of this Book, page 252. [2166] See the Æneid, B. II. c. 403, _et seq._ [2167] Poliorcetes. [2168] A native of Samos, mentioned by Quintilian, B. xii. c. 10, as one of the painters between the time of Philip and that of the successors of Alexander. [2169] After the murder of his mother. [2170] See B. vii. c. 57. [2171] Or player with the discus. [2172] Against his brother Eteocles. [2173] Who assisted Polynices in his siege of Thebes. [2174] Helen, Castor, and Pollux. [2175] See B. vii. c. 37. [2176] Mentioned in Chapter 36, as having been commenced for the people of Cos, but never finished. [2177] See B. xxxiv. cc. 19, 39. Sillig is of opinion that the picture mentioned by Pausanias, B. I. c. 1, in honour of Leosthenes, killed in the Lamina War, B.C. 323, was by this artist. [2178] Poliorcetes, who began to reign B.C. 306. [2179] Already mentioned in this Chapter, at greater length. [2180] See B. xxxiv. c. 40. [2181] See Chapter 36 of this Book, and the present Chapter. Of the greater part of these artists nothing further is known. [2182] See Chapter 35 of this Book. [2183] Previously mentioned in this Chapter. [2184] Or stylus—“cestrum.” [2185] Probably the same painter as the one mentioned in Chapter 37 of this Book. [2186] See Chapter 39 of this Book. Pausias painted in wax with the cestrum. [2187] Wornum is of opinion that this must have been a species of drawing with a heated point, upon ivory, without the use of wax. Smith’s Dict. Antiq. Art. _Painting_. [2188] This method, as Wornum remarks, though first employed on ships, was not necessarily confined to ship-painting; and it must have been a very different style of painting from the ship-colouring of Homer, since it was of a later date even than the preceding methods. [2189] Though he says nothing here of the use of the “cauterium,” or process of _burning in_, its employment may certainly be inferred from what he has said in Chapter 39. Wornum is of opinion that the definition at the beginning of this Chapter, of _two_ methods apparently, “_in_ wax and _on_ ivory,” is in reality an explanation of _one_ method only, and that the ancient modes of painting in encaustic were not only three, but several. [2190] Or Temple of the Nymphs. The daughter of Butades is called “Core” by Athenagoras. [2191] See B. xxxiv. c. 3. [2192] Son of Philæus. He is mentioned by Pausanias, B. viii. c. 14, and by Herodotus, B. iii. c. 60, as the architect of a fine temple at Samos, and, with Smilis and Theodorus, of the Labyrinth at Lemnos. [2193] Mentioned also in B. xxxiv. c. 19. Pliny is in error here in using the word “plastice;” for it was the art of casting brass, and not that of making plaster casts, that these artists invented. [2194] See Chapter 5 of this Book. He is said by Dionysius of Halicarnassus, B. iii., to have been a member of the family of the Bacchiadæ. [2195] A different person, probably, from the one of the same name mentioned in B. vii. c. 56. [2196] Terra cotta figures. [2197] See B. xxxiv. c. 19. Tatian mentions a statue of Melanippe by Lysistratus. [2198] See B. xxxvi. c. 4. [2199] In the Eleventh Region of the City. This Temple of Ceres, Bacchus, and Proserpine, in the Circus Maximus, was vowed by A. Posthumius, the Dictator, A.U.C. 258, and dedicated by the consul Cassius, A.U.C. 261, or B.C. 493. [2200] See B. xxxiv. c. 16. [2201] Sillig (Dict. Anc. Art.) is of opinion that this Chalcosthenes is not identical with the artist of that name mentioned in B. xxxiv. c. 19; the name “Ceramicus” probably being of far earlier origin than the formation of the statues of Comedians. [2202] “Et.” The insertion of this word seems to militate against Sillig’s position. [2203] The “Pottery.” [2204] See also B. xxxvi. c. 4. [2205] See Chapter 40 of this Book. [2206] “Crater.” A vase in which wine and water were mixed for drinking. [2207] See B. xxxiii. c. 55, B. xxxvi. c. 4, and end of B. xxxiii. [2208] See B. xxxiii. c. 36. [2209] In B. viii. c. 4, for instance. [2210] The “Hercules fictilis.” It is mentioned by Martial, B. xiv. Ep. 178. [2211] See B. xxxiii. c. 2, and B. xxxvii. cc. 7, 8, 11. [2212] “Simpuvia.” [2213] See B. xxxi. c. 31. [2214] “Mammatis.” The exact meaning of this word is unknown. The passage is evidently in a corrupt state. [2215] As to the Roman “Collegia,” see B. viii. c. 42, and B. xxxiv. c. 1. [2216] “Solia.”—The same name is given also to a kind of sitting or reclining-bath, often mentioned by Pliny. [2217] Asia Minor. [2218] See B. iii. c. 18. [2219] A service of three dishes. [2220] See B. ix. c. 39. [2221] See B. ix. cc. 24, 28, 74, 79. [2222] In B. x. c. 72. [2223] See Note 2211 above. [2224] See B. xxiii. c. 47, and the end of this Book. [2225] Martial speaks of this practice, B. iii. Epigr. 81. [2226] Nothing further seems to be known of this personage, or of the grounds of his invective. Pliny may possibly allude to some abominable practices, with which Vitellius is charged by Suetonius also. [2227] The “Opus Signinum” was a plaster or cement much used for making pavements. It took its name from Signia, in Italy, celebrated for its tiles. See B. iii. c. 9. [2228] The floors of the Roman houses were seldom boarded. [2229] “Pulvis.” See B. iii. c. 9, B. xvi. c. 76, and B. xxxvi. c.

Chapters

1. Chapter 1 2. BOOK XXXII. 3. 1. The power of Nature as manifested in antipathies. The 4. 8. Places where fish recognize the human voice. Oracular 5. 10. When sea-fish were first eaten by the people of Rome. The 6. 12. The antipathies and sympathies which exist between certain 7. 13. Amphibious animals. Castoreum: sixty-six remedies and 8. 15. Remedies derived from the aquatic animals, classified 9. 16. Remedies for poisons, and for noxious spells. The dorade: 10. 17. Remedies for the stings of serpents, for the bites of dogs, 11. 18. The sea-frog: six remedies. The river-frog: fifty-two 12. 19. The enhydris: six remedies. The river-crab: fourteen remedies. 13. 20. The sea-calf: ten remedies. The muræna: one remedy. The 14. 21. The various kinds of oysters: fifty-eight remedies and 15. 23. Remedies for alopecy, change of colour in the hair, and 16. 24. Remedies for diseases of the eyes and eyelids. Two remedies 17. 25. Remedies for diseases of the ears. The batia: one remedy. 18. 26. Remedies for tooth-ache. The dog-fish: four remedies. 19. 27. Remedies for lichens, and for spots upon the face. The 20. 28. Remedies for scrofula, imposthumes of the parotid glands, 21. 30. Remedies for pains in the liver and side. The elongated 22. 31. Remedies for diseases of the bowels. Sea-wort: one remedy 23. 32. Remedies for diseases of the spleen, for urinary calculi, 24. 33. Remedies for intestinal hernia, and for diseases of the 25. 34. Remedies for inflamed tumours, and for diseases of the 26. 35. Remedies for incontinence of urine. The ophidion: one 27. 36. Remedies for gout, and for pains in the feet. The beaver: 28. 38. Remedies for fevers. The fish called asellus: one remedy. 29. 42. Methods of arresting hæmorrhage and of letting blood. The 30. 45. Remedies for warts, and for malformed nails. The glanis: 31. 46. Remedies for female diseases. The glauciscus: one 32. 49. Methods of preventing intoxication. The fish called rubellio: 33. 50. Antaphrodisiacs and aphrodisiacs. The hippopotamus: one 34. 52. Other aquatic productions. Adarca or calamochnos: three 35. 53. The names of all the animals that exist in the sea, one 36. BOOK XXXIII. 37. 13. Coins of gold. At what periods copper, gold, and silver, 38. 15. The persons who have possessed the greatest quantity of gold 39. 16. At what period silver first made its appearance upon the arena 40. 17. At what periods there was the greatest quantity of gold and 41. 29. The chrysocolla of the goldsmiths, known also as 42. 30. The marvellous operations of nature in soldering metallic 43. 36. Minium: for what religious purposes it was used by the 44. 40. The various kinds of minium. The use made of it in 45. 44. The different kinds of silver, and the modes of testing 46. 47. Instances of immense wealth. Persons who have possessed 47. 48. At what period the Roman people first made voluntary 48. 50. Instances of the frugality of the ancients in reference 49. 51. At what period silver was first used as an ornament for 50. 52. At what period silver chargers of enormous size were first 51. 55. The most remarkable works in silver, and the names of the 52. 56. Sil: The persons who first used it in painting and the 53. BOOK XXXIV. 54. 9. Which was the first statue of a god made of brass at Rome. 55. 10. The different kinds and forms of statues. Statues at Rome 56. 11. In honour of whom public statues were first erected: in 57. 12. In honour of what foreigners public statues were erected at 58. 13. The first equestrian statues publicly erected at Rome, and 59. 14. At what period all the statues erected by private 60. 16. That there were statuaries in Italy also at an early 61. 19. An account of the most celebrated works in brass, and of 62. 20. The different kinds of copper and its combinations. Pyropus. 63. 23. Fifteen remedies derived from cadmia. Ten medicinal effects 64. 41. The different kinds of iron, and the mode of tempering 65. 46. Seventeen remedies derived from the scales of iron. 66. BOOK XXXV. 67. 3. When shields were first invented with portraits upon them; 68. 5. The commencement of the art of painting. Monochrome 69. 8. At what period foreign paintings were first introduced at 70. 9. At what period painting was first held in high esteem at Rome, 71. 12. Pigments other than those of a metallic origin. Artificial 72. 31. Which colours do not admit of being laid on a wet 73. 33. At what time combats of gladiators were first painted 74. 34. The age of painting; with the names of the more celebrated 75. 38. An effectual way of putting a stop to the singing of 76. 39. Artists who have painted in eucaustics or wax, with 77. 40. The first inventors of various kinds of painting. The 78. 44. Who was the first to mould figures in imitation of the 79. 47. Various kinds of earth. The Puteolan dust, and other 80. 50. Sulphur, and the several varieties of it: fourteen 81. 51. Bitumen, and the several varieties of it: twenty-seven 82. 52. Alumen, and the several varieties of it: thirty-eight 83. 56. Chian earth: three remedies. Selinusian earth: three 84. 57. Cretaceous earths used for scouring cloth. Cimolian earth: 85. 58. Argentaria. Names of freedmen who have either risen to 86. 59. The earth of Galata; of Clypea; of the Baleares; and of 87. BOOK XXXVI. 88. 4. The first artists who excelled in the sculpture of marble, 89. 6. Who were the first to cut marble into slabs, and at what 90. 7. Who was the first to encrust the walls of houses at Rome with 91. 8. At what period the various kinds of marble came into use at 92. 9. The method of cutting marble into slabs. The sand used in 93. 13. Lygdinus; corallitic stone; stone of Alabanda; stone of 94. 23. The fugitive stone. The seven-fold echo. Buildings erected 95. 38. Æthiopic hæmatites. Androdamas: two remedies. Arabian 96. 43. Stones for mortars used for medicinal and other purposes. 97. 54. The various kinds of sand. The combinations of sand with 98. 64. At what period mosaic pavements were first invented. At 99. BOOK XXXVII. 100. 4. Who were the most skilful lapidaries. The finest specimens 101. 6. Jewels displayed at Rome in the triumph of Pompeius 102. 7. At what period murrhine vessels were first introduced at 103. 10. Luxury displayed in the use of crystal. Remedies derived 104. 14. The various precious stones, classified according to their 105. 23. Sardonyx; the several varieties of it. Defects in the 106. 40. Amethystos: four varieties of it. Socondion. Sapenos. 107. 54. Achates: the several varieties of it. Acopos: the remedies 108. 55. Balanites. Batrachitis. Baptes. Beli oculus. Belus. 109. 56. Cadmitis. Callais. Capnitis. Cappadocia. Callaica. 110. 58. Encardia or ariste. Enorchis. Exebenus. Erythallis. 111. 59. Galaxias. Galactitis, leucogæa, leucographitis, or 112. 60. Heliotropium. Hephæstitis. Hermuaidoion. Hexecontalithos. 113. 62. Lepidotis. Lesbias. Leucophthalmos. Leucopœcilos. 114. 63. Memnonia. Media. Meconitis. Mithrax. Morochthos. 115. 65. Oica. Ombria or notia. Onocardia. Oritis or sideritis. 116. 66. Panchrus. Pangonus. Paneros or panerastos. Pontica: four 117. 67. Solis gemma. Sagda. Samothracia. Sauritis. Sarcitis. 118. 68. Trichrus. Thelyrrhizos. Thelycardios or mule. Thracia: 119. 71. Precious stones which derive their names from various parts 120. 72. Precious stones which derive their names from animals. 121. 73. Precious stones which derive their names from other objects. 122. 74. Precious stones that suddenly make their appearance. 123. 77. A comparative view of Nature as she appears in different 124. BOOK XXXII.[1] 125. BOOK XXXIII. 126. BOOK XXXIV. 127. BOOK XXXV. 128. BOOK XXXVI. 129. BOOK XXXVII. 130. Introduction to Vol. III. 131. 480. _Bohn’s Edition_. 132. 49. Also Beckmann’s Hist. Inv., Vol. II. p. 219, _Bohn’s Edition_. 133. 40. It is our red ochre, peroxide of iron, mixed in a greater or less 134. Chapter 36. 135. 295. _Bohn’s Edition._ 136. Chapter 20 of the present Book. On the above passage by Dr. Watson, 137. Chapter 55 of this Book, that he flourished before the burning of the 138. Chapter 26), were the blue copper earth already mentioned, which may 139. 400. Several works of his are also mentioned by Pausanias. 140. 5. Müller and Meyer treat this story of the brazen statue as a fiction. 141. 328. _Bohn’s Edition._ 142. Chapter 32. 143. Chapter 2 of this Book, and B. xxxv. c. 52. 144. Chapter 40 of this Book. 145. 14. He alludes to the cement made of volcanic ashes, now known as 146. Introduction to Vol. III. 147. 19. Sillig, however, is inclined to think that there were _two_ artists 148. 703. His Basilica, a building which served as a court of law and as an 149. Chapter 68 of this Book. 150. Chapter 37. 151. Chapter 55 above. 152. Chapter 48, and “Beli oculus” in Chapter 55, of this Book. 153. Chapter 66 and the Tecolithos of Chapter 68. 154. 480. Of his Tragedies, eighteen are still extant, out of seventy-five, 155. Introduction to the work, i. 1-11.

Reading Tips

Use arrow keys to navigate

Press 'N' for next chapter

Press 'P' for previous chapter