Climatic change as a topic in the classical Greek and Roman literature

Abstract

A search was made of the classical Greek and Roman literature for references to climatic change, irrespective whether facts of observation or views. It was found that several scholars/scientists of the classical antiquity made pronouncements on the subject and their statements are either summarized or quoted verbatim in this paper. From the Greek literature we quote Plato, Aristotle and Theophrastus; Herodotus is also quoted for an indirect reference to the topic. From the Roman literature we cite the agricultural writer Columella and the scientist Pliny the Elder; actually, Columella quotes the distinguished writers on husbandry, the Sasernas, father and son.