Claudius Aelianus also known as Aelian (circa 175-235 AD) was a Roman intellectual and writer
of the Severan period who wrote his works in Greek drawing on the rich treasure trove of
quotations from classical literature. His collections of animal stories (¿¿¿¿ ¿¿¿¿ ¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿
De natura animalium ) and the ¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ ¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ (Varia Historia which is considered to
have given ancient miscellany its name) are more than mere compilations: Aelian himself saw the
careful selection and artful presentation of his quotations as a genuine literary achievement.
This collection of essays reflects the growing research interest in Aelian and present a
comprehensive picture of Aelian's use of quotation as a rhetorical device and the wider
richness of his literary practices. The volume is aimed at researchers and those interested in
learning more about this fascinating author and his work.
