Columella’s work De re rustica, written in the first century A. D., is the most comprehensive treatise on agriculture extant from Graeco-Roman antiquity. An important part of his work is the treatment of animals, ranging from larger ones such as oxen, cows, horses and mules (dealt with in Book 6) to smaller ones such as sheep, goats, swine and dogs (discussed in Book 7). He devotes special sections to various types of birds, in particular chickens, and to fishes (Book 8) (...) as well as wild animals and bees (Book 9). The aim of this article is to analyse the roles and functions of animals for the ideal farmer (perfectus agricola) as outlined by Columella. While economic concerns are indeed important to him, he also takes into account numerous other aspects such as the emotional dimension between animal and farmer. The paper further highlights instances in the text where the author attributes a certain aesthetic value to animals. The final section attempts a brief comparison with Varro’s De re rustica. (shrink)

This article is mainly concerned with Statius' Silvae 3. 5, addressed to his wife Claudia. It intends to demonstrate how exemplarity and praise, features familiar from other Silvae, are intertwined in this poem with the question of gender roles. At the same time, it will be argued that the praise of other people as well as of places in this poem is closely connected with the persona of the author and that it amounts to a proud portrayal of himself and (...) his art. Statius' Silvae 3. 5 will then be compared briefly, first, with Silvae 2. 7, a genethliacon written to honour the deceased poet Lucan and his wife Polla; second, with some of Ovid's poems from exile that are addressed to his wife and to the poetess Perilla ; and third, with a letter by Pliny the Younger concerning his wife Calpurnia and her virtues. (shrink)