Animals in Roman Life and ArtRomans clearly loved their pets and gave them human names. The wealthiest kept gazelles and ibex on their estates as living lawn ornaments. At the same time, they imported exotic animals from Africa and then slaughtered them in both gladiatorial combat and cold-blooded spectacle. Animals in Roman Life and Art explores animals in Roman iconography, Roman knowledge - both factual and fanciful - about various fauna, and Roman use of animals for food, clothing, transport, war, entertainment, religious ceremony, and companionship. Arranged by species, J.M.C Toynbee's magisterial survey ranges from the exotic (the rhinoceros and hippopotamus) to the commonplace (dogs and cats). Toynbee concludes her study with a discussion of Roman beliefs about animals in the afterlife, where, according to Virgil, "the herds will not fear the mighty lion" and "the timid deer will ... drink beside the hounds". |
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Aelian African animals Antoninus Pius appear arena Athenaeus Aurigemma bears beasts birds boar breed British Museum bronze bull camel carved cavalry century chariot Christian colour Columella creatures CREBM denarius depicted describes Dionysus eagle Elagabalus emperor Epigrams figure forepaws Fremersdorf funerary Gaius goat Greek hare head hind-legs horses hounds hunting huntsman ibid imperial Indian elephants inscription Italy J. M. C. Toynbee leopard lion marble Marcus Martial medallions monkey mosaic mosaic panel mosaic pavement mounted mules Museo Nazionale names neck NH VIII Orpheus ostriches oxen painting pair parrot PBSR peacock pets Piazza Armerina picture Pliny Pompeii portrayed quadriga relief renderings Roman art Roman world Rome round RPGR Rustica Sabratha sarcophagus scene seated sheep shows snake stag stands Suetonius symbol tail tigress tomb Trajan's Column Tripolitania Varro Vegetius venatio veterinary Vigneron villa wild Zliten δὲ καὶ τῶν