Élien

Élien (in Latin Claudius Ælianus , in Greek old Κλαύδιος Αἰλιανός / Klaúdios Ailianós ), called Élien the Sophist , born towards 175 with Préneste and died towards 235 with Rome is a historian and Roman speaker of Greek language.

Biography

According to the Welded , it is originating in Préneste (current the Palestrina), in the Latium. Thereafter, it settles in Rome - it indicates itself to be Roman citizen. However, the Souda indicates that it “takes the name of Claudius”, which tends to indicate a statute of freed. He studies the eloquence near Pausanias Rhéteur and chooses for spiritual Masters Nicostrate, Dion Chrysostome and especially Hérode Atticus. He becomes then itself Master of rhetoric and, following Philostrate ( Vie of the sophists , II, 31), the nickname gains of μελίγλωττος / melíglôttos , “with the honey language”.

Putting an end to its career of speaker because of his thin performances to the declamation, Élien turns then to the writing ( το ξυγγράφειν / to xyggraphein , “to compose in prose”). Its contemporaries rent the quality of his feather and Philostrate notices that it employs a very pure attic, “like a Athénien of the Mésogée”, i.e. heart of the Attique. Élien testifies to be initiated with Iliade as of its more young age ( Caractéristiques of the animals , XVI, 25) and “to like Greek over all” ( varied Histoire , IX, 32).

It Marie not and does not have children. The only public office that he assumes is that of high priest of the sanctuary of the Fortune, in Préneste. He dies in more than 60 years, without to have ever left Italy.

Work

History

Two of works of Élien survived. The varied History ( Ποικίλη ἱστορία / Poikílê historia ) includes/understands originally 14 books, whose only fragments reached us. This title, retained by the modern tradition, is that given by the Souda (10th century), which also quotes the work under the name of varied Narration ( Ποικίλη ἀφήγησις / Poikilê aphêgêsis ) - Strobée ( Anthology , 5th century) preferring that of mixed History ( Σύμμικτος ἱστορία / Symmiktos historia ) and Stephan de Byzance that of Maintenance historical ( Ἱστορική διάλεξις / Historikê dialexis ).

Élien compiles there anecdotes taken again of various old authors (Aristote, Pline, Ctésias, etc) on a very broad pallet of subjects. Thus, the collection starts with: “The octopuses have an astonishing stomach and are unbeatable in their capacity to swallow anything. ” Élien connects then on the weaving of clothing, then on frogs of Egypt. Its authors of reference are not named, and other sources show that it frequently deteriorates the style of the extracts which it selects. The work is worth especially by its conservation of authors since lost.

Natural history

The Manners of the animals or Characteristic of the animals or Of the nature of the animals ( Περὶ Ζῴων Ἰδιότητος / Perì Zôiôn Idiótêtos ) treats Natural history. It is also about a compilation of anecdotes, without attempt at classification, this time in seventeen books, divided into very short chapters.

It quotes 70 species of mammals, 109 species of birds, about fifty reptiles and approximately 130 fish. Certain species which it quotes were identified only at the time modern, following the example its thorny rat discovered in Egypt by Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire or the wild boar with horns, a Babiroussa redécouvert at the 17th century. Other species are unknown and probably whimsical. Even a dragon and an ox with five legs are found there.

One also knows to him a treaty on the Porc and some Oiseau X, as well as a correspondence ( Epistolæ rusticæ ).

See too

Other encyclopedists authors: Artémidore de Daldis, Galien, Athenaeum