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Columella was born in 4 AD in Gades, Hispania Baetica, to parents who were likely Roman citizens.
Answer: True
Explanation: The provided source material confirms that Columella was born in 4 AD in Gades (modern Cádiz), Hispania Baetica, and that his parents were likely Roman citizens.
Columella is believed to have died around 70 AD.
Answer: True
Explanation: Scholarly estimations place Columella's death around 70 AD, based on the available historical and textual evidence.
Before becoming a writer on agriculture, Columella served as a military tribune in Syria.
Answer: True
Explanation: The historical record indicates that prior to dedicating himself to agricultural scholarship, Columella held a position as a military tribune in Syria around 35 AD.
Columella owned and managed farming estates exclusively in Hispania Baetica, his birthplace.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Columella was born in Hispania Baetica, his agricultural estates were primarily located in Latium, Italy, specifically mentioning properties at Ardea, Carseoli, and Alba.
Columella held citizenship within the Roman Republic.
Answer: False
Explanation: Columella lived during the Roman Empire, not the Republic. The source indicates he held Roman citizenship, which was standard for individuals of his standing during the Imperial period.
Who was Lucius Junius Moderatus Columella?
Answer: A Roman writer primarily known for his works on agriculture.
Explanation: Lucius Junius Moderatus Columella is recognized primarily as a Roman author whose significant contributions lie in his extensive writings on agriculture and rural economy.
In which Roman province was Columella born?
Answer: Hispania Baetica
Explanation: Columella was born in Gades, a city located in the Roman province of Hispania Baetica, which corresponds to modern-day Cádiz in southern Spain.
What was Columella's career before he dedicated himself to writing about agriculture?
Answer: He served in the Roman army as a tribune in Syria.
Explanation: Before focusing on agricultural scholarship, Columella pursued a military career, serving as a tribune in the Roman army in Syria around 35 AD.
Where did Columella own and manage farming estates?
Answer: In Latium, Italy, including properties at Ardea and Alba.
Explanation: Columella managed farming estates located in Latium, Italy, with specific mentions of properties situated at Ardea, Carseoli, and Alba.
Lucius Junius Moderatus Columella is primarily recognized as a Roman philosopher renowned for his extensive writings on Stoicism.
Answer: False
Explanation: This assertion is factually inaccurate. While Columella's agricultural treatises may contain philosophical reflections, his principal scholarly contribution and enduring fame derive from his comprehensive works on Roman agriculture, not from Stoic philosophy.
Columella's most famous work, *De re rustica*, exists today only in fragments.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is incorrect. Columella's seminal work, *De re rustica*, has been preserved in its entirety across twelve volumes, contrary to the notion that only fragments remain.
*De re rustica* is historically significant primarily as a source for Roman military tactics.
Answer: False
Explanation: The primary historical significance of *De re rustica* lies in its comprehensive documentation of Roman agricultural practices, techniques, and ancient Roman cuisine, rather than military tactics.
Columella authored a major work titled *De agricultura*, which is considered his magnum opus.
Answer: False
Explanation: The assertion is incorrect. Columella's principal and most celebrated work on agriculture is titled *De re rustica*, not *De agricultura*. While *De agricultura* might be a plausible title, it is not the one attributed to his magnum opus in the source material.
Book 10 of *De re rustica* is written in prose and focuses on veterinary medicine.
Answer: False
Explanation: Book 10 of *De re rustica* is distinctively written in dactylic hexameter verse, not prose, and its focus is not veterinary medicine but rather the cultivation of gardens and the management of pests, possibly as an homage to Virgil's Georgics.
The Latin title *De re rustica* translates to 'On the Art of War'.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Latin title *De re rustica* translates literally to 'On Rural Matters' or 'On Agriculture', not 'On the Art of War'.
*De re rustica* provides guidance on the management of fish ponds and beekeeping.
Answer: True
Explanation: Indeed, *De re rustica* offers detailed guidance on various aspects of estate management, including the cultivation of fish ponds and practices related to beekeeping (apiculture).
What is the title of Columella's most significant surviving work, which is preserved in twelve volumes?
Answer: De re rustica
Explanation: Columella's most significant and comprehensively preserved work is titled *De re rustica*, consisting of twelve volumes that detail Roman agricultural practices.
What is the primary historical importance of Columella's work *De re rustica*?
Answer: It serves as a key source for understanding Roman agriculture and cuisine.
Explanation: The primary historical value of *De re rustica* lies in its detailed exposition of Roman agricultural methods, practices, and the culinary traditions of the era, making it an invaluable resource for historians.
What is unique about Book 10 of *De re rustica*?
Answer: It is written entirely in dactylic hexameter verse.
Explanation: Book 10 of *De re rustica* is notable for being composed entirely in dactylic hexameter verse, a poetic meter often employed in epic and didactic poetry, possibly serving as an imitation of Virgil's *Georgics*.
What is the literal translation of the Latin title *De re rustica*?
Answer: On Rural Matters (or On Agriculture)
Explanation: The Latin title *De re rustica* translates directly to 'On Rural Matters' or, more commonly interpreted in context, 'On Agriculture'.
Which of the following topics is NOT explicitly mentioned as being covered within the twelve books of *De re rustica*?
Answer: Construction of Roman aqueducts
Explanation: While *De re rustica* covers a vast array of agricultural subjects including viticulture, fish ponds, and beekeeping, the construction of Roman aqueducts is not explicitly detailed within its twelve books.
Which of the following is a type of animal explicitly mentioned in *De re rustica*?
Answer: Asses and goats
Explanation: *De re rustica* details the management of various domestic animals, including smaller livestock such as asses and goats, alongside larger animals like cattle and horses.
What specific type of bird is mentioned as being covered in Columella's work?
Answer: Chickens and geese
Explanation: Columella's agricultural treatise discusses the husbandry of various domestic birds, explicitly mentioning chickens and geese among others.
Columella frequently cited the works of Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle in his agricultural writings.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Columella drew upon classical sources, the provided information indicates he primarily cited earlier Roman agricultural writers such as Cato the Elder and Marcus Terentius Varro, as well as the Carthaginian writer Mago, rather than extensively referencing Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle in his agricultural texts.
*De arboribus* is considered a direct continuation and integral part of the twelve books of *De re rustica*.
Answer: False
Explanation: While *De arboribus* is often found alongside *De re rustica* in manuscripts, textual analysis suggests it is a separate work. Its introductory passages do not mention Publius Silvinus, the dedicatee of *De re rustica*, indicating it is not a direct continuation.
Scholars believe *De arboribus* might have been part of a larger work by Columella, possibly totaling sixteen books, based on mentions by Cassiodorus.
Answer: True
Explanation: The historian Cassiodorus's reference to sixteen books attributed to Columella has led scholars to hypothesize that *De arboribus* may have been intended as part of a more extensive work, potentially structured into four volumes.
Columella relied solely on his own practical farming experience for his writings.
Answer: False
Explanation: Columella's writings were not based solely on personal experience; he extensively consulted and cited numerous sources, including earlier Roman agricultural writers, Greek authors, and the Carthaginian writer Mago, many of which are no longer extant.
Columella's uncle, Marcus Columella, influenced him by conducting experiments in horse breeding.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Columella's uncle, Marcus Columella, was indeed an influence due to his agricultural expertise, the specific experiments mentioned involved sheep breeding, not horse breeding.
The Latin title *De arboribus* translates to 'On Animals'.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Latin title *De arboribus* translates to 'On Trees', not 'On Animals'.
Publius Silvinus is identified as the dedicatee of Columella's work *De arboribus*.
Answer: False
Explanation: Publius Silvinus is identified as the dedicatee of Columella's major work, *De re rustica*. The work *De arboribus* does not mention him as a dedicatee, suggesting it is a separate composition.
Columella's uncle conducted experiments crossing domestic sheep with wild sheep from Gaul.
Answer: False
Explanation: The experiments conducted by Columella's uncle involved crossing domestic sheep with wild rams imported from Africa, not from Gaul.
Which Roman agricultural writers are often discussed alongside Columella, and whom he occasionally cited?
Answer: Cato the Elder and Marcus Terentius Varro
Explanation: Columella's work is frequently discussed in relation to earlier Roman agricultural authors such as Cato the Elder and Marcus Terentius Varro, both of whom he referenced in his own writings.
What is the title of Columella's shorter work specifically focused on trees?
Answer: De arboribus
Explanation: Columella is credited with a shorter treatise dedicated to arboriculture, titled *De arboribus*, which translates to 'On Trees'.
The work *De arboribus* is generally attributed to Columella, but what suggests it might be by a different author or from a different work?
Answer: It does not mention the dedicatee, Publius Silvinus, who is central to *De re rustica*.
Explanation: A key indicator suggesting *De arboribus* may not be a direct part of *De re rustica* is its omission of Publius Silvinus, the individual to whom *De re rustica* is dedicated. Furthermore, recent critical editions list it as '*incerti auctoris*' (of unknown authorship).
What other types of sources, besides contemporary Roman writers, did Columella consult?
Answer: Writings by earlier Greek authors and the Carthaginian writer Mago.
Explanation: Columella's research extended beyond contemporary Roman authors to include earlier Greek agricultural texts and the significant work of the Carthaginian writer Mago, among other sources no longer extant.
How did Columella's uncle, Marcus Columella, influence his nephew's agricultural interests?
Answer: By sharing practical knowledge gained from experiments in sheep breeding.
Explanation: Marcus Columella, Lucius's uncle, was an accomplished farmer whose practical experience, particularly in conducting experiments with sheep breeding, significantly influenced Lucius's agricultural scholarship.
What does the historian Cassiodorus's mention of sixteen books attributed to Columella suggest?
Answer: That *De re rustica* was originally planned in multiple volumes, possibly including *De arboribus*.
Explanation: Cassiodorus's reference to sixteen books attributed to Columella supports the scholarly hypothesis that *De re rustica* was originally conceived as a larger, multi-volume work, potentially encompassing *De arboribus*.
What does the source indicate about the authorship of *De arboribus* in recent critical editions?
Answer: It is listed as '*incerti auctoris*', meaning 'by an unknown hand'.
Explanation: Recent critical editions of Columella's works often list *De arboribus* with the designation '*incerti auctoris*', signifying that its direct authorship by Columella is uncertain and it is considered to be by an unknown hand.
What does the historian Cassiodorus's mention of sixteen books attributed to Columella suggest?
Answer: That *De re rustica* was originally planned in multiple volumes, possibly including *De arboribus*.
Explanation: Cassiodorus's reference to sixteen books attributed to Columella supports the scholarly hypothesis that *De re rustica* was originally conceived as a larger, multi-volume work, potentially encompassing *De arboribus*.
What does the source indicate about the authorship of *De arboribus* in recent critical editions?
Answer: It is listed as '*incerti auctoris*', meaning 'by an unknown hand'.
Explanation: Recent critical editions of Columella's works often list *De arboribus* with the designation '*incerti auctoris*', signifying that its direct authorship by Columella is uncertain and it is considered to be by an unknown hand.
The complete text of *De re rustica* was rediscovered in the 19th century by scholars in Italian libraries.
Answer: False
Explanation: The complete text of *De re rustica* was rediscovered in the 15th century, specifically between 1414 and 1418 during the Council of Constance, by Poggio Bracciolini and Bartolomeo di Montepulciano in monastery libraries in Switzerland and France, not in the 19th century in Italian libraries.
The Council of Constance played a role in the rediscovery of Columella's complete *De re rustica*.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Council of Constance (1414-1418) was the historical context during which Poggio Bracciolini and his assistant rediscovered the complete manuscript of *De re rustica* in European monastery libraries.
Who was instrumental in the rediscovery of the complete text of *De re rustica* in the 15th century?
Answer: Poggio Bracciolini and Bartolomeo di Montepulciano
Explanation: The rediscovery of the complete manuscript of *De re rustica* during the 15th century is attributed to the efforts of Poggio Bracciolini and his assistant, Bartolomeo di Montepulciano.
During which historical event did the rediscovery of *De re rustica* occur?
Answer: The Council of Constance (1414-1418)
Explanation: The rediscovery of Columella's complete work *De re rustica* took place during the Council of Constance, an ecclesiastical council held between 1414 and 1418.
What does the phrase 'Rei rusticae scriptores' typically refer to in the context of early printed editions of agricultural texts?
Answer: A collective title for works by writers on rural matters, including Columella.
Explanation: The Latin phrases '*Rei rusticae scriptores*' or '*Scriptores rei rusticae*' commonly served as collective titles in early printed editions, encompassing works by various authors on rural affairs, frequently including Columella alongside Cato the Elder, Varro, and Palladius.
What does the phrase 'Rei rusticae scriptores' typically refer to in the context of early printed editions of agricultural texts?
Answer: A collective title for works by writers on rural matters, including Columella.
Explanation: The Latin phrases '*Rei rusticae scriptores*' or '*Scriptores rei rusticae*' commonly served as collective titles in early printed editions, encompassing works by various authors on rural affairs, frequently including Columella alongside Cato the Elder, Varro, and Palladius.
A genus of South American flowering plants was named *Columellia* in honor of the Roman writer by French botanists in the 18th century.
Answer: False
Explanation: The genus *Columellia* was indeed named in honor of Lucius Junius Moderatus Columella, but this occurred in 1794 and was done by Spanish botanists, José Antonio Pavón Jiménez and Hipólito Ruiz López, not French botanists in the 18th century.
The first complete English translation of *De re rustica* was published anonymously in 1745 by Andrew Millar.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source material confirms that Andrew Millar published the first complete English translation of *De re rustica* in 1745, and this translation was indeed anonymous.
The statue of Columella in Cádiz depicts him holding a scroll and a stylus.
Answer: False
Explanation: The statue of Columella located in Cádiz portrays him holding agricultural implements, specifically a sickle and an ox-yoke, symbolizing his dedication to farming, rather than a scroll and stylus.
A portrait of Columella by Jean de Tournes was published in a collection of famous Roman poets in 1559.
Answer: False
Explanation: The portrait of Columella by Jean de Tournes, created in 1559, was published in a collection titled *Insignium aliquot virorum icones* (Images of Several Notable Men), not a collection specifically of Roman poets.
The genus *Columellia* consists of plants native to the Mediterranean region.
Answer: False
Explanation: The genus *Columellia*, named in honor of Lucius Junius Moderatus Columella, comprises plants that are native to Peru, not the Mediterranean region.
The Arabic text 'Yunius' is a Latin translation of Columella's name.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Arabic text 'Yunius' represents a transliteration of Columella's name into Arabic script, not a Latin translation.
Who published the first complete English translation of *De re rustica*?
Answer: Andrew Millar
Explanation: The first complete English translation of *De re rustica* was published in 1745 by Andrew Millar, an Edinburgh-born bookseller and publisher active in London.
What objects does the statue of Columella in Cádiz depict him holding?
Answer: A sickle and an ox-yoke
Explanation: The statue of Columella situated in Cádiz depicts him holding a sickle and an ox-yoke, symbolic representations of his profound connection to agricultural labor and practice.
In which publication was a portrait of Columella by Jean de Tournes featured in 1559?
Answer: Insignium aliquot virorum icones (Images of Several Notable Men)
Explanation: A portrait of Lucius Junius Moderatus Columella, executed by Jean de Tournes, was featured in the 1559 publication titled *Insignium aliquot virorum icones*, a collection of images of notable individuals.
What does the genus *Columellia* consist of?
Answer: A genus of Peruvian asterid plants
Explanation: The genus *Columellia* is comprised of a group of Peruvian asterid plants, named in honor of the Roman agricultural writer.
Who named the genus *Columellia* in honor of Lucius Junius Moderatus Columella?
Answer: Spanish botanists José Antonio Pavón Jiménez and Hipólito Ruiz López
Explanation: The genus *Columellia* was named by the Spanish botanists José Antonio Pavón Jiménez and Hipólito Ruiz López in 1794 as a tribute to Lucius Junius Moderatus Columella.
The 'Authority control' section in the source article provides links to databases for further research on Columella.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'Authority control' section is a standard feature in scholarly articles, offering standardized identifiers and links to various international and national databases, thereby facilitating further research on the subject, in this case, Lucius Junius Moderatus Columella.
What does the 'vcard' designation within the infobox signify?
Answer: It means the information is formatted using the vCard standard for biographical data.
Explanation: The 'vcard' designation indicates that the infobox data adheres to the vCard standard, a widely adopted format for structuring biographical and contact information, thereby ensuring consistent data presentation.
What information do the data-file-width and data-file-height attributes provide for images?
Answer: The original dimensions of the image file in pixels.
Explanation: These attributes provide the intrinsic dimensions, measured in pixels, of the associated image file, specifying its original width and height. This data is often utilized for layout calculations and responsive design implementations.
What is the function of the infobox-label class in Wikipedia's structure?
Answer: To designate the heading or category for a piece of information within an infobox.
Explanation: The infobox-label class serves to designate the heading or categorical identifier for a specific piece of information presented within the infobox, such as 'Born' or 'Died'.
What does the 'vcard' designation within the infobox signify?
Answer: It means the information is formatted using the vCard standard for biographical data.
Explanation: The 'vcard' designation indicates that the infobox data adheres to the vCard standard, a widely adopted format for structuring biographical and contact information, thereby ensuring consistent data presentation.
What information do the data-file-width and data-file-height attributes provide for images?
Answer: The original dimensions of the image file in pixels.
Explanation: These attributes provide the intrinsic dimensions, measured in pixels, of the associated image file, specifying its original width and height. This data is often utilized for layout calculations and responsive design implementations.
What is the function of the infobox-label class in Wikipedia's structure?
Answer: To designate the heading or category for a piece of information within an infobox.
Explanation: The infobox-label class serves to designate the heading or categorical identifier for a specific piece of information presented within the infobox, such as 'Born' or 'Died'.