Ancient Medicine

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Theophrastus, what is the best season for growing things?

Pseudo-Dioscorides, De herbis femininis in Cod. Par. Lat. 6862 (9th century).

“It’s no wonder that it’s spring — the season is very life-promoting and especially fertile, because it is wet and warm.”

τὸ μὲν οὖν ἔαρ οὐδὲ θαυμάζεται, ζωτικωτάτη γὰρ ἡ ὥρα καὶ μάλιστα γόνιμος, ὑγρά τις οὖσα καὶ θερμή.

Theophrastus, Causes of Plants, 1.13.4

“The climate needs to have a certain warmth and wetness, just like spring. Everyone agrees that spring is best for sprouting.”

δεῖ γὰρ δὴ τὴν ὥραν ὑγρότητά τινα καὶ θερμότητα ἔχειν ὥσπερ καὶ τὸ ἔαρ. αὕτη μὲν ὁμολογουμένη μάλιστα πρὸς βλάστησιν.

Theophrastus, Causes of Plants, 1.13.5