Brill’s New Pauly

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Linen, flax
(966 words)

[German version]

I. General

Linen (λίνον/línon, Lat. linum) or flax belongs to the family of Geraniaceae. Linum angustifolium is considered the original form of cultivated flax. The use of this wild, perennial plant is archaeologically proven for the Neolithic period in Europe.

Common flax (Linum usitatissimum), an annual plant, has a delicate stalk with oblong, sessile leaves, and reaches a height of 60-90 cm. The stalks form the …

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Pekridou-Gorecki, Anastasia (Frankfurt/Main) and Renger, Johannes (Berlin), “Linen, flax”, in: Brill’s New Pauly, Antiquity volumes edited by: Hubert Cancik and , Helmuth Schneider, English Edition by: Christine F. Salazar, Classical Tradition volumes edited by: Manfred Landfester, English Edition by: Francis G. Gentry. Consulted online on 28 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e700330>
First published online: 2006
First print edition: 9789004122598, 20110510



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