Types of Metaphors in the Botanical Treatises of Theophrastus

Abstract

The paper presents the analysis of metaphors used by ancient Greek scientist Theophrastus in his botanical treatises “Περὶ φυτῶν ἱστορίας” and “Περὶ φυτῶν αἰτιῶν”. Three types of metaphors are determined, i. e. (1) metaphors that represent stable expressions and describe weather and other natural phenomena, (2) metaphors that similize plants and animals and designate plant parts or organs forming a basis for botanical terminology, (3) metaphors that used in the plant names. A plenty of examples from Theophrastus studies show that metaphors have played an important role both in establishing the scientifi c terms and nomenclature, and in learning and perception of the world itself.