Geoponica facts for kids

The Geoponica or Geoponika (Greek: Γεωπονικά) is a twenty-book collection of agricultural lore, compiled during the 10th century in Constantinople for the Byzantine emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus. The Greek word Geoponica signifies "agricultural pursuits" in its widest sense. It is the only surviving Byzantine agricultural work.

During the Macedonian Renaissance, the emperor Constantine VII assembled several compendia - compilations and excerpts of ancient writings - of which Geoponika was one. Around 50 manuscripts, dating from between the 10th and 16th centuries, have survived. Geoponika incorporated the work of Cassianus Bassus, which was compiled from an earlier work by Vindonius Anatolius.

Contents

The Geoponica embraces all manner of "agricultural" information, including celestial and terrestrial omina, viticulture, oleoculture, apiculture, veterinary medicine, the construction of fish ponds and much more.

Taken from Charles Anthon's Manual of Greek Literature (1853).

1. Of the atmosphere, and of the rising and setting of the stars

2. Of general matters appertaining to agriculture, and of the different kinds of corn

3. Of the various agricultural duties suitable to each month

4–5. Of the cultivation of the vine

6–8. Of the making of wine

9. Of the cultivation of the olive and the making of oil

10–12. Of horticulture

13. Of the animals and insects injurious to plants

14. Of pigeons and other birds

15. Of natural sympathies and antipathies, and of the management of bees

16. Of horses, donkeys and camels

17. Of the breeding of cattle

18. Of the breeding of sheep

19. Of dogs, hares, deer, pigs, and of salting meat

20. Of fishes

See also

In Spanish: Geopónica para niños