Ammianus Marcellinus, Res Gestae, John C. Rolfe (Translator), 24.3.12

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[12] In these regions there are many fields, planted with vineyards and various kinds of fruits. Here too palm trees are wont to grow, extending over a wide expanse as far as Mesene¹ and the great sea,² in mighty groves. And wherever anyone goes, one constantly sees palm branches with and without fruit,³ and from their yield an abundance of honey and wine is made.⁴ The palms themselves are said to couple, and the sexes may easily be distinguished.⁵

Res Gestae. Ammianus Marcellinus. John C. Rolfe (Translator). Cambridge, MA. 1935-1940.

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Funding provided by Tufts University.

Current edition Perseus

History (English) (Ammianus Marcellinus. Ammianus Marcellinus, with an English translation, Vols. I-III. Rolfe, John C., translator. Cambridge, MA; London: Harvard University Press; W. Heinemann, 1935-1940 (printing).)

Editions (1)

Res Gestae Perseus (Ammianus Marcellinus. Ammianus Marcellinus, with an English translation, Vols. I-III. Rolfe, John C., editor. Cambridge, MA; London: Harvard University Press; W. Heinemann, 1935-1940 (printing).) — 24.3.12 focus

[12] In his regionibus agri sunt plures, consiti vineis varioque pomorum genere,¹ ubi oriri arbores assuetae palmarum, per spatia ampla ad usque Mesenen et mare pertinent magnum, instar ingentium nemorum. Et quaqua incesserit quisquam, termites et spadica cernit assidua, quorum ex fructu mellis et vini conficitur abundantia, et maritari palmae ipsae dicuntur facileque sexus posse discerni.

Notes on the current edition

History

1. Apamia, cf. xxiii. 6, 43.

2. The Caspian.

3. See Gellius, ii. 26, 10; iii. 9, 9,

palmae termes ex arbore cum fructu spadix dicitur.

Ammianus alone uses the form spadicum (n.).

4. Cf. Hdt. i. 193.

5. Cf. Pliny, N.H. xiii. 34 f. Herodotus, i. 193, thinks that an insect carries the seed from the male to the female tree.

Ammianus Marcellinus Res Gestae 24.3.12

John C. Rolfe (Translator)

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