[Solved] Ancient Historians: Herodotus, Pliny, and Ptolemy

Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) (Re. Exam) 2015]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

Primary accounts by travelers and ancient geographers provide essential data on India’s early trade, geography, and social conditions.

Authentic Source Evidence

'Natural History' (Naturalis Historia) was written by Pliny the Elder (1st century CE). Ptolemy is famous for his 'Geography' and 'Almagest'.

Analytical Breakdown

Option B is Incorrect: Ptolemy did not write Natural History; Pliny the Elder did.

Option A: Hui-li, a disciple, wrote the biography of the famous traveler Hiuen Tsang.

Option D: Herodotus, known as the 'Father of History', wrote 'The Histories'.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"What was Pliny's 'Natural History' primarily about?"

It was an early encyclopedia covering nature, art, and geography, including mentions of trade with India.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"Roman accounts like Pliny’s are vital for proving the massive scale of the spice trade between the Roman Empire and South India."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Indology 2 Ancient Trade 2

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