The Natural History reveals that the Romans faced many of the challenges we see today: sustainability, environmental destruction, extinction and globalisation. Pliny doesn’t say how these might be tackled except to criticise self-indulgent behaviour as un-Roman. He has a genuine respect for Nature, which he sees as a generous provider for all human needs. Nevertheless, Pliny’s priority is always Rome and the Natural History glorifies the Roman Empire in writing just as the Colosseum glorifies it in architecture.

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In a similar way Manchester Museum’s collection reveals how 19th and early 20th century collectors viewed the world when it was dominated by European empires. From this point of view Pliny’s Natural History is to the Roman Empire what Manchester Museum once was to the British Empire.