Philosophia, which established as a theoretical possibility that 288 distinct schools of phil-
osophy could exist (A CD 19.1–3). The Tubero de Origine Humana sought to explain
the viability of fetuses after seven months by dividing the 210–day period of gestation into
35 – day chunks, then analyzing those sub-periods as compounds of harmonic ratios; a similar
rationale was given for nine-month pregnancies (C De Die Nat. 9, 11). Finally,
Va r r o’s Hebdomades included a long catalogue of entities that come in groups of seven (Gellius
3.10), and there apparently existed a catalogue for threes as well (Ausonius 15.pr Green).
Astronomy: The eighth book of M C’s De Nuptiis Mercurii et Philologiae
is thought to constitute a rough facsimile of the book on astronomy from the Disciplines.
Martianus explains the nature of the poles, polar circles, colures, the ecliptic, the constella-
tions, sunanatolai (simultaneous constellation risings), and the planets; the dimensions of the
planetary orbits betray their Varronian provenance by their numerological invention
(8.861). Elsewhere Varro observes the distinction between the sideral month (F
E In Somn. Scip. 17.1) and the synodic month (Gell. 3.10), though in the interest of
numerology he rounds the figures for their respective lengths to 27 days and 28 days.
Music: Varro divided harmonics into three sub-fields dealing respectively with rhythm,
melody, and meter (Gell. 16.18); it was probably in the book on music from the Disciplines
that he described the major modes, from hyperlydian to hypodorian (Cassiod. Inst. 2.5.8). He
records numerous observations about animals attracted to music, such as the pigs he trained
to respond to a horn (RR 2.4.20, etc.), and shows in other texts (cf. Mart. Cap. 9.926–929) a
Pythagorean’s fascination with the inner connection between music and psychology.
Medicine: In his book on medicine Varro traced the science back to practices at the
temple of Askle ̄pios at Ko ̄s, and noted H’ association with that temple; he
seems also to have assembled a large collection of herbal remedies for diseases (P
20.152, 22.114, 141). A number of the logistorici were devoted to medical topics such as
diaetetics and mental health, and in the Tubero de Origine Humana he gave a detailed if
theoretical account of fetal gestation (Censor. De Die Nat. 9, 11). Varro observes in passing
at RR 1.12.2–4 that diseases could be caused by microorganisms, and accordingly recom-
mends that country-houses built near swamps not have windows facing in the direction of
the prevailing winds.
Geography: Va r r o’s survey of geography appears to have concentrated on such subjects
as ethnography (Pliny 3.8), the primary exports of different cities (4.62), the lengths of coasts
and rivers (4.78; cf. Gell. 10.7), and the etymologies of place names (3.8); he made particular
use of information Pompey Magnus gathered while on campaign near the Caspian Sea in
the second Mithridatic War (6.38, 51–52). He also wrote a periplous of the Mediter-
ranean (De Ora Maritima), a treatise on weather signs for use by sailors (V De Re
Militari 4.41), and one on tides (De Aestuariis) which was probably based on P’
pioneering work.
Such fragments represent only the tip of an iceberg. Much of the technical material in
Pliny, Augustine, Martianus Capella and other late writers must also derive from Varro,
although we are no longer in a position to determine precisely its extent. Placed in the broad-
est perspective, Varro’s contributions to ancient science were twofold. Like Cicero, he played a
crucial role in standardizing Latin technical terminology and digesting bodies of Hellenistic
science and philosophy with a view towards transmitting them to later generations. In add-
ition, he performed original work in several fields: first and foremost in the theory of grammar
and linguistics, in the classification of the sciences, and in the development of the Pythag-
orean insight that numbers and patterns are crucial to our understanding of the world.
M. TERENTIUS VARRO OF REATE