Greco-Roman Waters: A Sourcebook

The first of its kind, this book presents a wide range of passages exploring many aspects of the Greco-Roman watery world: physics, philosophy, weather, medicine, marine biology, religion and mythology, infrastructure, sailing, mercantile activities, and waterways that have been politicized. Offering a deep look at the many ways that water culture impacted the ancient world, both abstractly and tangibly, this collection provides a glimpse into the ancient mind and lived experience. It includes passages from literary, documentary, and visual evidence, organized along seven over-arching themes: "The Science of Water," "Water and Living Creatures,""Water in Religion and Myth," "Water and Society," "Humans on the Water," "Mercantile Waters," and "Conquering the Waters." Each selection is introduced by a contextualizing, exegetical paragraph. Explanatory notes assist with unfamiliar concepts; additional readings (both modern and ancient) are suggested; and cross references show the links between sections and topics. Greco-Roman Waters: A Sourcebook is suitable for students and scholars of ancient science and technology, the ancient environment, and the history of science, as well as those interested in the philosophy, intellectual culture, and environmental attitudes of the ancient Greco-Roman Mediterranean world.