2011/06/01 by Kai Brodersen · 1 citation
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Social Sciences · #Ancient history #Antique #Archaeology #Art #Botanical Research and Chemistry #Classical Antiquity Studies #Computer science #Geography #Historical and Literary Studies #History #Literature #Mode (computer interface) #Natural (archaeology)
paper · doi:10.1111/j.2041-5370.2011.00017.x
openalex publication_date 2011/06/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/26
Abstract Gaius Iulius Solinus is the author of a late antique work entitled Collectanea rerum mirabilium or Polyhistor which is mainly based on Pliny' Natural history. Solinus has long been maligned as ‘Pliny's ape’, and considered to be materially irrelevant, ‘as we still have his sources'. A fresh look, however, shows his achievement: he has condensed the material and thus created a manageable work which was to become the foremost geography for a millennium. And while his sources present geographical data as a strict periplus, Solinus can be seen changing the mode of description from line to area (thus ignoring the linear mode required by the periplus), adding neighbours and directions, emphasizing the concept of plaga, and innovatively using ‘Mediterranean’ and the ‘Orient’. Ultimately, his work appears to represent the juncture from a linear text to a map showing areas: Solinus really is mapping Pliny's world.