Comments on what the Romans knew about Alpine Landforms and Processes
During Antiquity times there existed little specific vocabulary pertaining to mountainous relief. Did Romans know what glaciers, crevasses, avalanches, rock falls, seasonal torrential erosion were? Could they estimate the height of the Alps? The phenomenon and dangers of alpine geomorphology were de...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Institut de Géographie Alpine
2007-09-01
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Series: | Revue de Géographie Alpine |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://journals.openedition.org/rga/328 |
Summary: | During Antiquity times there existed little specific vocabulary pertaining to mountainous relief. Did Romans know what glaciers, crevasses, avalanches, rock falls, seasonal torrential erosion were? Could they estimate the height of the Alps? The phenomenon and dangers of alpine geomorphology were described by Greek and Latin authors of the Roman World mostly to warn the traveller of its consequences, in an attempt to ensure safe passage. |
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ISSN: | 0035-1121 1760-7426 |