De Naturalis Historia

De Naturalis Historia is a modern re-engagement with one of the most influential works of classical antiquity: Pliny the Elder’s Natural History. Focusing on the botanical volumes that begin with Book Twelve, this edition offers fresh translations, commentary, and critical notes that bring ancient descriptions of trees, herbs, and spices into dialogue with contemporary botanical knowledge. ​ By presenting the original Latin alongside English interpretation and annotation, the book serves both as a scholarly resource and as a bridge for general readers curious about the history of natural science. Rather than treating Pliny’s observations as mere curiosities of the past, De Naturalis Historia illuminates how ancient ways of cataloging and understanding nature continue to shape the relationship between science and the humanities today. ​ This elegant edition invites readers to explore not only the plants themselves but also the cultural and intellectual landscapes in which they were studied, described, and remembered.