This new translation of the Natural History's opening books lets readers immerse themselves in the natural world and universe as seen by Romans and absorbed by Western scholars through the Renaissance. Pliny's wide range of knowledge, his quirky style and frank opinions command attention, even awe, throughout.

Introduction; Book 1 Pliny's detailed table of contents; Book 2 The Universe, astronomy, climate; Book 3 Europe: Spain to Italy; Book 4 Europe: East, North; Book 5 Africa, Levant, Asia Minor; Book 6 The East, India; Books 7-37 Notable geographical passages; Appendix 1 Titles and technical terms; Appendix 2 Units of measurement; Appendix 3 Latin editions translated (books 2 to 6).