## Lessons from Antiquity: What the Greeks and Romans Can Teach Us About Environmental Stewardship
The perilous state of our environment is a constant headline, with stories detailing the damage we inflict on Earth and urging us to take action. But these concerns aren’t new. Millennia ago, the ancient Greeks and Romans were already acutely aware of the impact of human activities on the natural world.
Their literature, filled with references to the environment and its vulnerabilities, echoes the anxieties we face today. The ancient writers understood the fundamental truth: polluting the soil, air, and water we depend on has severe repercussions. As Pliny the Elder, a first-century AD Roman writer, poignantly stated in his *Natural History*: “We taint the rivers and the elements of nature, and the air itself, which is the main support of life, we turn into a medium for the destruction of life.” He saw Earth as a nurturing parent deserving protection, not exploitation.
A Growing Understanding of Environmental Degradation
The ancient Romans, through their writings, provide a window into the environmental challenges they faced. They observed the impact of their own actions, especially those of their military. Flavius Renatus Vegetius, a military writer of the 4th and 5th centuries AD, noted that prolonged encampments led to contaminated water and air, causing diseases and highlighting the need for frequent changes of location.
The pollution of the River Tiber, which flows through Rome, was a recurring theme in ancient Roman writings. Suetonius, a biographer born around 70 AD, documented the river’s degradation, choked with debris and narrowed by encroaching buildings, before Emperor Augustus took steps to clean it up. Emperor Nero’s practice of dumping rotten grain into the Tiber further exemplifies the detrimental policies that contributed to its pollution. Poets like Juvenal and physicians like Galen vividly described the Tiber as a “gushing sewer,” warning that the fish caught there were unsafe for consumption.
Ancient Solutions for Environmental Protection
Despite the challenges they faced, the Greeks and Romans implemented measures to mitigate environmental harm. In 420 BC, the Athenians enacted a law to protect the Ilissus River, prohibiting the soaking of animal hides and the disposal of laundry waste in its waters. Modern researchers believe this law contributed to the river’s cleanliness, as authors writing in the 4th century BC described it as a pristine and beautiful waterway.
Other measures included bans on public defecation and urination, and restrictions on washing clothes or throwing rubbish into rivers. While adherence to these rules may have been inconsistent, they reflect an awareness of the need for environmental protection. Public works projects like building sewers and aqueducts aimed at reducing pollution and improving sanitation were also undertaken, with Emperor Nerva, who ruled from 96-98 AD, known for his efforts to make Rome cleaner and healthier.
The Intertwined Health of Humans and Environment
The ancient world understood the inextricable link between environmental health and human well-being. Pliny the Younger, a Roman aristocrat and lawyer, wrote to Emperor Trajan, complaining about the health hazard posed by a foul-smelling sewer in the city of Amastris. The emperor readily agreed to cover the sewer, recognizing the threat it posed to public health.
This correspondence underscores the ancient understanding that a polluted environment negatively impacts human health. As we grapple with our own environmental crises, we can learn from the wisdom of the ancients.
Echoes of Antiquity
The message from the ancient Greeks and Romans is as relevant today as it was centuries ago. As humanity confronts multiple environmental challenges, it’s crucial to remember the lessons learned from these ancient civilizations. Maintaining a healthy planet is not just an environmental imperative; it’s essential for our own well-being. In a world saturated with stories about pollution and its devastating consequences, we must remember the timeless wisdom of the ancients: caring for the environment is caring for ourselves.
