In contemporary society, the concern for humanity's impact on Planet Earth has gained unprecedented significance in government policies and our daily lives. Ecological awareness is by no means a modern phenomenon, and although is a modern concept, and somewhat anachronical when we talk about the ancient world. In the ancient world, looking into the Roman era, we can identify some early seeds of ecological thinking, uniquely framed within the context of human-divine relationships and the cosmos. To discuss the existence of an ecological thought in the ancient world is to delve into theology and the interconnectedness of life. This proposal aims to facilitate a compelling dialogue between the visual manifestations of nature in Roman frescoes and the written works on nature by Pliny the Elder. By doing so, we intend to unravel what "ecological awareness" might have resembled in the Roman world and how it initially manifested itself in literature and subsequently in art. This exploration is set to shed light on the intricate relationship between these two mediums and offer a dynamic perspective on what we can consider ancient ecological thought. Our academic endeavor seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of ecology within ancient Roman thinking and its artistic representations, particularly in frescoes. By fostering this interdisciplinary dialogue, we aim to enrich our comprehension of how ancient cultures perceived and interacted with the natural world, offering valuable insights into the timeless connection between humans, nature, and the divine.

Authors:
Catarina Dos Santos Madeira, University of Lisbon, Portugal

About the Presenter(s)
Catarina is an Ancient History PhD Student at the University of Lisbon. My project is about the perceptions of nature and environment in the Roman World from the I BCE - I CE. I have also a big interest in the Etruscan civilization.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/catarina-madeira-a17a69177/

See this presentation on the full schedule – Monday Schedule

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