Plutarch's Romane Questions With dissertations on Italian cults, myths, taboos, man-worship, aryan marriage, sympathetic magic and the eating of beans

Within this scholarly volume the ancient Greek essayist gathers a handful of puzzling Roman customs and poses them as questions for curious minds. From the strange rite of newly‑wed wives touching fire and water, to the mysterious reverence for beans, each inquiry invites the listener to weigh practical, symbolic and philosophical explanations. The author’s own answers mingle learned speculation with a playful sense of wonder, revealing how early thinkers tried to make sense of everyday rituals.

The edition presents Philemon Holland’s 1603 translation, whose richly ornate early‑modern English mirrors the original’s thoughtful tone. Modern editorial notes accompany the text, offering concise essays on Italian cults, mythic taboos, man‑worship, and the concept of ‘Aryan’ marriage, all framed as extensions of the original questions. Together they create a vivid window onto the earliest systematic study of folklore, inviting listeners to hear the conversation between ancient curiosity and later scholarly interpretation.