Humanist scholar vs. ancient writer: Commentaries from the Early Modern period on the Encyclopedia of Pliny the Elder

Abstract

In this article, using as material commentaries on Pliny the Elder's Historia naturalis by Marcantonio Sabellico (1436–1506), Stephanus Aquaeus (? — ca. 1537) and Jacobus Dalecampius (ca. 1513–1588), I discuss the perception of Pliny's work, and the changes in the opinions and approaches of humanist scholars during the 15th–16th century. The humanist authors not only worked on the textual problems of the “Natural History”, but also tried to discuss and comment specifcally on Pliny's zoological knowledge. I also discuss the status of the commentaries on Pliny's encyclopedic work during this period, as well as the development of the scholarly principles of a humanist edition.