Environment

‘Water corrupts, air infects’: Here’s how the ancient Greeks and Romans tackled environmental destruction

The Ilissos River was a symbol of health in the 19th century. Credit: Edward Dodwell, Wikimedia Commons

Today, the dangerous state of the environment is frequently in the news. Many stories describe how the Earth is being harmed by humans and discuss ways to prevent this.

These concerns are not new. Thousands of years ago, the people of ancient Greece and Rome already knew that humans were damaging the natural world. These ancient texts contain many references to the environment and the harm it suffers.

Many of these insights are still true today. There are obvious consequences when we pollute the soil we cultivate, the air we breathe, and the water we drink. We can only degrade the environment for so long before it comes back to haunt us.

So let’s explore what the ancient Greeks and Romans can teach us about nature and our place in the world.

agent of destruction

Pliny the Elder, an ancient Roman writer who lived in the first century AD, was concerned about the way humans mistreated the earth. In his book entitled “History of Nature,” he wrote, “We pollute rivers and the elements of nature, pollute the very air that is the main support of life, and turn it into a vehicle for the destruction of life. ” he wrote.

He saw the Earth as something humans should protect, not harm. Because we owe our existence to Mother Earth. “First and foremost, it is my joyful duty to champion the cause of Earth and support her as the parent of all.”

Two thousand years later, Pliny’s words seem directly relevant to us.

Concerns about environmental health have become one of the hottest political topics in the modern world.

For example, a survey last year of around 20,000 young Australians showed that 44% thought the environment was the most important issue of our time.

Deeper understanding

Roman writers wrote that the soldiers eventually polluted the water and air around the camp. Flavius ​​Renatus Vegetius, a military writer who lived around the 4th and 5th centuries AD, said: Distemper, a virulent and deadly disease, can only be prevented by frequent changes of camp. ”

Roman writers also had much to say about the pollution of the Tiber River, which flows through Rome.

According to biographer Suetonius, born around 70 AD, the river was “filled with garbage and narrowed by the rise of buildings” until Emperor Augustus (63 BC-14 AD) began purifying the river. “Ta”.

Bad policies had polluted the river water. For example, Emperor Nero (AD 37-68) dumped tons of rotten grain into rivers.

The Roman poet Juvenal (1st and 2nd century AD) called the Tiber River “a gushing sewer.” And the physician Galen (129-216 AD) stated that the Tiber River was so polluted that the fish caught there were unsafe to eat.

Environmental protection efforts

The Greeks and Romans introduced various measures to prevent or reduce damage to the environment.

For example, in 420 BC, the Athenians passed a law protecting the Ilissus River. “It is forbidden to soak or tan (animal) furs in the Ilissos River above the Sanctuary of Hercules. It is also forbidden to throw away the residue.”Laundry is thrown into the river. ”

Modern researchers believe this measure may have helped keep Ilissos clean. That’s because authors writing in the 4th century BC (after the law was introduced) describe Ilissos as a pure and beautiful river.

Other measures to reduce pollution included a ban on public defecation and urination. Bans on washing clothes and throwing trash into rivers were also common. However, it is unlikely that the public always adhered to these restrictions.

Some rulers sought to carry out public works such as building sewers and water systems to clean up the pollution.

For example, Emperor Nerva, who ruled from 96 to 98 AD, undertook a series of construction projects to make Rome cleaner and healthier.

Sextus Julius Frontinus (AD 35-103), the keeper of Roman aqueducts, said that thanks to Nerva, “the city’s appearance became cleaner, its air purer, and the unhealthy atmosphere that created it The cause of this has also been resolved.” This city, which once had a very bad name, has now been rid of. ”

Destroying the environment harms our health

Sometime in the late 1st or early 2nd century AD, the Roman nobleman and lawyer Pliny the Younger (61/62-112 AD) wrote a letter to Emperor Trajan, who ruled from 98-117 AD. He complained about public health problems in the city of Amastris, in present-day Turkey: “One of the main features of the city of Amastris is a very beautiful long street. But in reality it is a filthy sewer, an unpleasant eyesore with a noxious stench, which, if covered, would improve the health and appearance of the city alike, and with your permission. This is done. ”

The Emperor replied that he was glad that such a thing should be done. “Dear Pliny, there are good reasons to cover the water that you say flows through the city of Amastris, if leaving it uncovered poses a danger to health.”

This story shows that the ancients recognized that the health of land, air, and water was closely related to human health. Therefore, an unhealthy environment has a negative impact on our health and well-being.

The modern world can learn from ancient times.

The message from the ancient Greeks and Romans is as true for us today as it was for them. At a time when humanity faces multiple environmental crises, it is worth reflecting on this ancient knowledge.

In short, keeping our planet healthy is not only good for the environment, but also for ourselves.

In today’s world, where news stories about pollution and related environmental issues are often reported, this message from the ancients is worth remembering.

Provided by The Conversation

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.conversation

Citation: “Water Corrupts, Air Infects”: How Ancient Greeks and Romans Tackled Environmental Destruction (October 19, 2024), https://phys.org/news/2024- 10-corrupt- Retrieved October 19, 2024 from Airborne Transmission-Ancient Greeks.html

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