Below are some quotes De Re Rustica by Lucius Junius Moderatus Columella.
"For there are to this day schools for rhetoricians and, as I have said, for mathematicians and musicians, or, what is more to be wondered at, training-schools for the most contemptible vices - the seasoning of food to promote gluttony and the more extravagant serving of courses, and dresses of the head and hair - I have not only heard but have even seen with my own eyes; but of agriculture I know neither self-professed teachers nor pupils. For even if the state were destitute of professors of the aforementioned arts, still the commonwealth could prosper just as in the time of the ancients - for without the theatrical profession and case-pleaders cities were once happy enough, and will again be so; let without tillers of the soil it is obvious that mankind can neither subsist nor be fed."
"For one who would profess to be a master of this science (agriculture - TB) must have a shrewd insight into the works of nature."
"Nevertheless, as Marcus Tullis (Cicero - TB) has very properly sad in his Orator, it is right that those who have an earnest desire to investigate subjects of the greatest utility for the human race, and to transmit to posterity their carefully weighed findings, should try everything. And if the force of an outstanding genius or the equipment of celebrated arts is wanting, we should not immediately relapse into idleness and sloth, but rather that which we have wisely hoped for we should steadfastly pursue. For if only we aim at the topmost peak, it will be honour enough for us to be seen even on the second summit."
"For agriculture can be conducted without the greatest mental acuteness, but not on the other hand, "by the fat-witted""
"One who devotes himself to agriculture should understand that he must call to his assistance these most fundamental resources: knowledge of the subject, means for defraying the expenses, and the will to do the work. For in the end, as Tremelius (Gnaues Tremellisu Scrofa - TB) remarks, he will have the best-tilled lands who has the knowledge, the wherewithal, and the will to cultivate them."
Sold! Or at least it's made it to my amazon wishlist. Looks like it covers many things of agrarian interest including veterinary medicine, fish ponds, beekeeping, winemaking, pickling, and preserving. Even something on the duties of the overseer's wife. Also a chapter written in poetry, which brings Masanobu Fukuoka to mind, who said a farmer ought to have time for the pursuit of things such as poetry.
ReplyDeleteAs an aside, while looking at Columella, I found Kevin Dunn's (the caveman chemist) book. I visited his website years ago, when I was researching how to make pearlash for How To Bake Without Baking Powder.
Excellent Leigh! The one regrettable thing for me is that these books almost never come up used, so you almost will certainly have to pay full price - that said, I love this books: small enduring hardbacks with dust covers. Red for Latin, Green for Greek.
DeleteI do remember that section from Fukuoka's book where he found poetry in a local temple from a farmer and wondered why farmers no longer had the time to write it (The linked verse is Book X, which is the third volume which I have not acquired yet).
If you are getting those, I might suggest the combined volume of Cato and Verres. It covers the same material, but in shorter form. Cato in particular had a wonderful treatise on building and running an olive press.
I am not familiar with Mr. Dunn, but I will definitely look it up. With my shaky grasp of chemistry, Cavemen Chemistry sounds right up my alley.
Aargh! Varro, not Verres…
DeleteIt is amazing to see that I independently arrived at the something an ancient professed to be good:
ReplyDelete"it is right that those who have an earnest desire to investigate subjects of the greatest utility for the human race, and to transmit to posterity their carefully weighed findings, should try everything."
So even if I'm a second summit-er, it's an honor worth having! And 'machinist' probably wasn't even a word in Rome. Maybe Mechanist?
Really cool to put up some snippets. I may have to buy a set too.
STxAR, I have to confess this is one of the real pleasures of reading ancient authors because many of the ideas we think are "novel" have been around for a very long time. Also, to my mind, it gives renewed value to books that individuals want to ignore simply because it is a currently unfavored paradigm.
DeleteSo "Mechanicus" was indeed the word for Mechanic back in the day, deriving from the Greek word Mekhanikos, "full of resources, inventive, ingenious". So you, my friend, are full of resources, inventive and ingenious.
They are a bit pricey, but I find them a great investment.