Environmental Thought in the Graeco-Roman World : Ecological Sensitivity, Sustainable Behaviour and Biodiversity : A Historical Perspective

by: Cordovana, O.D.

Environmental Thought in the Graeco-Roman World
?Ecological? Sensitivity, ?Sustainable? Behaviour and ?Biodiversity?. A Historical Perspective
Orietta Dora Cordovana

About this book
The debate that has arisen around the concept of the Anthropocene forms the basis of this book. It investigates certain forms of environmental interrelation and 'ecological' sensitivity in the Graeco-Roman world. The notions of environmental depletion, exploitation and loss of plant species, and the ancients' knowledge of species diversity are the main cores of the research. The aim is to interrogate historical sources and diverse evidence and to analyse political and socioeconomic structures, according to a reading focused on possible antecedents, cultural prodromes, alignments of thought or divergencies, with respect to major modern environmental problems and current ecological conceptualisations. As a result, 'sustainable' behaviour, 'biodiversity' and its practical uses can also be identified in ancient societies. In the context of environmental studies, this contribution is placed from the perspective of a historian of antiquity, with the aim of outlining the forma mentis and praxis of the ancients with respect to specific environmental issues. Ancient civilizations always provided ad hoc solutions for specific emergencies, but never developed a comprehensive ecological culture of environmental protection as in modernity.

Author / Editor information
Orietta Dora Cordovana, University of Salamanca, Spain.

Frontmatter

Acknowledgements

Contents

Abbreviations

List of figures

Introduction: Anthropocene and ?historical ecosystems?

Chapter 1 Environmental depletion

Chapter 2 Economy and environment

Chapter 3 Ancient knowledge and ?biodiversity?

Concluding remarks

Bibliography

Index of ancient sources

Index of names

Index of places

Index of subjects

Environmental Thought in the Graeco-Roman World : Ecological Sensitivity, Sustainable Behaviour and Biodiversity : A Historical Perspective

by: Cordovana, O.D.

• ISBN-13: 9783111152042 / 978-3-11-115204-2
• ISBN-03: 3111152049 / 3-11-115204-9
• Walter de Gruyter, Berlin, 2024