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A Methodological Note

A correct identification of the plants according to current taxonomy is a major issue. Contrary to a widespread opinion, we do believe that the plants of the ancient world can be identified, even though it might be with different degrees of plausibility according to the cases. The task is complex. Whereas botanical history has generally assumed (at the very least by default) that the names used in the past to designate plants always referred to the same species across time and space, research makes it clear that this might not have always been the case. Information about plants circulated across the Mediterranean Sea and the plant names (phytonyms) that designated a species typical of one region and its environment might have been applied to a different species of the same genus in another region. To closely reflect the variety of genera and species of the ancient flora across the Mediterranean Basin during the time period considered here, our analysis combined as broad a range of primary material as possible: the textual description of the plants in the scientific literature at different time periods and places; their representations in all available manuscripts and, more recently, in 15th, 16th and 17th century printed books; archaeological remains, traces, and representations of plants from different archaeological sites in all their history; genetics and phylogenetics; and also current distribution, in addition to the medicinal uses of the plants, which might help to discriminate the different species of the same genus. Nevertheless, confusion between species and even genera did occur as several cases illustrate. The Old Herbs monographs disentangle intertwined data and pinpoint mechanisms that led to the assimilation of plants now considered as distinct. Rather than invalidating ancient botanical knowledge, cases like these allow to reconstruct the creation of botanical knowledge and to understand how ancient populations and scientists analyzed their environment.

A Methodological Note

A correct identification of the plants according to current taxonomy is a major issue. Contrary to a widespread opinion, we do believe that the plants of the ancient world can be identified, even though it might be with different degrees of plausibility according to the cases. The task is complex. Whereas botanical history has generally assumed (at the very least by default) that the names used in the past to designate plants always referred to the same species across time and space, research makes it clear that this might not have always been the case. Information about plants circulated across the Mediterranean Sea and the plant names (phytonyms) that designated a species typical of one region and its environment might have been applied to a different species of the same genus in another region. To closely reflect the variety of genera and species of the ancient flora across the Mediterranean Basin during the time period considered here, our analysis combined as broad a range of primary material as possible: the textual description of the plants in the scientific literature at different time periods and places; their representations in all available manuscripts and, more recently, in 15th, 16th and 17th century printed books; archaeological remains, traces, and representations of plants from different archaeological sites in all their history; genetics and phylogenetics; and also current distribution, in addition to the medicinal uses of the plants, which might help to discriminate the different species of the same genus. Nevertheless, confusion between species and even genera did occur as several cases illustrate. The Old Herbs monographs disentangle intertwined data and pinpoint mechanisms that led to the assimilation of plants now considered as distinct. Rather than invalidating ancient botanical knowledge, cases like these allow to reconstruct the creation of botanical knowledge and to understand how ancient populations and scientists analyzed their environment.

For correct understanding of the presentation, and possible discussion, of the data related to each plant, the historical monographs of Old Herbs include the references to modern floras and relevant literature. They also include several illustrations: a photograph of the plants in nature to suggest their general appearance or of a significant detail; the image of a dry specimen for a better visualization of major botanical characteristics; and reproductions of pages from ancient manuscripts and early printed books.

Last but far from least, the Old Herbs essays reproduce the ancient texts about the plants of the entries. These texts are extracted from the scientific treatises devoted to the botanical description and medicinal uses of the plants. They are cited in the original language (Greek and Latin according to the cases), with the full reference of their standard edition. Original texts are followed by their English translation, based on available versions amended as deemed necessary. Full references of the sources of these translations are provided.

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