BMCR 2009.04.46: Papalexandrou on Baumann, Flora mythologica: griechische Pflanzenwelt in der Antike (Vollständig überarbeite Ausgabe). Akanthus crescens; 8

Helmut Baumann, Flora mythologica: griechische Pflanzenwelt in der
Antike (Vollstaendig ueberarbeite Ausgabe). Akanthus crescens; 8.
Kilchberg:  Akanthus, 2007.  Pp. 173.  ISBN 9783905083248.  [euro
]40.50 (pb).

Reviewed by Nassos Papalexandrou, The University of Texas at Austin
([email protected])
Word count:  676 words
-------------------------------
To read a print-formatted version of this review, see
http://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2009/2009-04-46.html
To comment on this review, see
http://www.bmcreview.org/2009/04/20090446.html
-------------------------------

There is no scarcity of recent publications on the vegetal world in
life, thought, and art of the Greeks, the Romans and their
neighbors.[[1]] Archaeobotanical and ethnobotanical studies are
quintessential components of the archaeological method even as
paleoenviromentalists have devised sophisticated ways of shedding light
on the fluctuating floras of the past.[[2]] The book under review here
is the most recent edition of a seminal book of 1982,[[3]] which was
elegantly translated into English in 1993 by William T. Stern and
Eldwyth Ruth Stern.[[4]] The 2007 edition, occasioned by a photographic
exhibition in Germany, is the most evolved version of this valuable
book. Despite the fact that this edition targets a non specialist
German-reading audience, its scholarship and the unprecedented quality
of the production make it a useful companion for classical scholars.
The wonderful 287 color illustrations speak volumes about the plants
and flowers of the Greeks and their place in the Greek mythological
imagination. Equally valuable is the encyclopaedic content of the book,
especially for those interested in studying the flora of contemporary
Greece vis-a\-vis that of classical antiquity. However, in this
respect, the previous German editions and the English translation of
1993 are still indispensable, especially for audiences in the English
reading world.

The major differences between the 2007 and the previous editions of
this book have to do less with content and organization than with
formatting and selection of images. The structure and text are more or
less that of the German editions and the 1982 translation. On the other
hand, in this edition the number of images has been substantially
reduced, especially by minimizing the number of black and white photos
(a total of 287 illustrations versus 482 of the original German and the
translation in English). As a result the text is much better
coordinated with its accompanying illustrations than before and is thus
easier to read. Nevertheless, one sadly discovers that the elided
illustrations often include ancient monuments with depictions of plants
discussed in the text. Equally notable is the occasional reduction of
text in the legends of illustrations.

The supporting apparatus has been slightly reworked as well. The latest
entry in the bibliography dates to 2005. The index follows the division
of the original German edition in plants, ancient names, and
geographical location. This will be of use only for those with a solid
command of German and the scientific names of plants. Yet, I found it
lacking, especially in its omission of the ancient names of plants or
similar terms. For example, the discussion of Diktamus (Origanum
dictamnus) mentions the alternate name "artemidion" for the same plant
but there is no equivalent entry in the index (p. 80). Likewise, in the
discussion of Muscari comosum there is mention of the word "volvoi" in
Theocritus for the same plant (p. 95). If one comes across this word in
Theocritus and wishes to find more about it, the index will not be
immediately helpful. In this respect, equally disappointing is the
frequent omission in the text of ancient names of plants or those used
in modern Greek. For example, the discussion of what is known in German
as Zaunwinde (Calystegia sylvatica, "Large Bindweed" in English) omits
reference to the ancient name of the plant or, in case this is not
known, the reader does not learn about this (p. 123). These
observations may sound trite but readers will sympathize with the
unavoidable frustrations generated by our need to fully understand what
we know exactly about ancient categories and terms used for them in the
surviving literature and art.

These quibbles, however, should not detract from the fact that the book
is excellent throughout. It is an all encompassing overview of the role
of all types of plants and flowers in the daily life of Greeks but also
in myth, cult, and ritual. Although English speaking readers will still
have to rely on the English translation of 1993, the 2007 edition will
be a necessary acquisition for libraries even in this time of crisis
and deplorable budget cuts in the humanities.


------------------
Notes:


1.   For example, two publications stand out in the last few years
alone: Nikolaus Himmelmann, Grundlagen der griechischen
Pflanzendarstellung (2005) [recently reviewed in BMCR, see BMCR
2009.03.27]; Peter Bernhardt, Gods and Goddesses in the Garden:
Greco-Roman Mythology and the Scientific names of plants (2008); Erika
Kunze-Goette, Myrte als Attribut und Ornament auf attischen Vasen
(2006).

2.   Oliver Rackham and Jennifer Moody, The Making of the Cretan
Landscape (1996).

3.   H. Baumann, Die griechische Pflanzenwelt in Mythos, Kunst und
Literatur (1982).

4.   H. Baumann, The Greek Plant World in Myth, Art and Literature,
translated and augmented by William T. Stearn and Eldwyth Ruth Stearn
(1993).