Writers on Agriculture (Scriptores Rei Rusticae)

Panace

Panace is an herb that is called by another name, centaurea knapweed; there are many species of it, and it is interpreted as a remedy for all things.

Bulbi megarici Megarian bulbs: from the city of Megara in Greece. Bulbs highly praised also came from Africa. Columella writes of both kinds when he says: "from the Megarian and Gaetulian soils."

Chaerepolum: is an herb luxuriant with foliage, and it received its name from this.

Lactucula: although it descends from lactuca lettuce, it is nevertheless a different herb containing milk.

Vlpicum: is a pungent garlic with a heavy odor.

Fabis habilis: signifies herbs with which beans were accustomed to be seasoned. For beans are the feasts of the craftsmen.

Sifer: an herb whose root Tiberius Caesar once made famous by demanding it every year from Germany.

Assyrio seie radix: this is called the Syrian root, because it was transplanted from the gardens of the Syrians.

Pelusiaci: that is, Egyptian; it refers to the zithum beer/fermented drink which Egypt devised from grain, called by others ceruesia ale.

Salgama: were called by the ancients whatever preserved seasonings were kept in vessels for our sustenance.

Inula

Inula: an herb that brings sadness by its appearance and nature. And it still preserves its name.

Olus pulum: by another name, the black vegetable.

Lactis gustus: which herb seasons. It seems to refer to lepidium cress, whose use is not without milk, for it improves the skin on the face, removes leprosy and the scars of wounds, and draws its name from the Greek.

Cima

Cimata: are said of the cabbage, which are gathered from the stems in the spring after the first cutting, or (as others say) the thinner little stems.

Cumae: a city of Campania, where the Cumaean cabbage grows with a broad leaf and head.

Signia: a city of Campania. Maurucini: peoples near the Marsi.

Capua: a city of Campania.

Fauces caudinae: a place where the Roman army was intercepted by the treachery of the Samnites.

Stabiae: an ancient town of Campania.

Vesuvius or Vesbius: a burning mountain in the same Campania.

Parthenope: Naples.

Sebetide nympha: Sebetos is a spring of Naples, whose water, flowing through the neighborhoods, provides for almost all the uses of the Neapolitans.

Pompeii and Herculaneum: towns of Campania.

Siler: a river near the aforementioned towns.

Sabelli: peoples descended from the Sabines, because they inhabit the mountains that are between the Sabines and the Marsi.

Genera caulium: many kinds of cabbages were produced from these places. For the Pompeian cabbage is taller and thickens within its leaves from a thin stem at the root.