Table of Contents

Part I. Introduction: 1. Ordering knowledge Jason König and Tim Whitmarsh; Part II. Knowledge and Textual Order: 2. Fragmentation and coherence in Plutarch's Quaestiones Convivales Jason König; 3. Galen and Athenaeus in the Hellenistic library John Wilkins; 4. Guides to the wor(l)d Andrew Riggsby; 5. Petronius' lessons in learning - the hard way Victoria Rimell; 6. Diogenes Laërtius, biographer of philosophy James Warren; 7. The creation of Isidore's Etymologies or Origins John Henderson; Part III. Knowledge and Social Order: 8. Knowledge and power in Frontinus' On Aqueducts Alice König; 9. Measures for an emperor: Volusius Maecianus' monetary pamphlet for Marcus Aurelius Serafina Cuomo; 10. Probing the entrails of the universe: astrology as bodily knowledge in Manilius' Astronomica Thomas Habinek; 11. Galen's imperial order of knowledge Rebecca Flemming.

Promotional Information

This fascinating collection considers the dialogue between technical literature and imperial society in the Roman Empire.

About the Author

Jason Konig is Lecturer in Greek and Classical Studies at the University of St Andrews. Tim Whitmarsh is Professor of Ancient Literature at the University of Exeter.

Reviews

Review of the hardback: 'König and Whitmarsh's collection of eleven essays, whose origins can be traced to a 2001 conference held at St John's College, Cambridge, is a welcome edition for what might be called the emerging field of the history of information science … this volume comes highly recommended on account of the wide range of authors it considers, the variety of analytical methods it employs and its nuanced understanding of the relationship between compilations of knowledge and their contexts.' Bryn Mawr Classical Review