PLINY: NATURAL HISTORY

BOOK VIII

I. Let us pass to the rest of the animals, and first, those that live on land.

The elephant is the largest and is closest to human intelligence, for they understand the language of their country and obey orders, they remember the duties they have been taught, and they experience the pleasure of affection and pride. Indeed, they possess virtues rare even in humans: honesty, wisdom, justice, and even a religious sense—a veneration for the stars, the sun, and the moon. 2 Authorities state that in the forests of Mauretania, when the new moon is shining, herds of them go down to a certain river named the Amilo. There, they perform a solemn ritual of purification, sprinkling themselves with water, and after thus paying their respects to the moon, they return to the woods, carrying their tired calves before them. 3 They are also believed to understand the requirements of another's religion, for they will not board ships to cross the sea until the handler has sworn an oath regarding their safe return. When they are exhausted by sickness (for those massive bodies are also prone to disease), they have been seen lying on their backs, tossing grass toward the heavens,