Abstract

This chapter examines pet-keeping in Graeco-Roman antiquity. It analyses evidence drawn from images of animals from ancient art and material culture, references to animals in ancient texts and inscriptions, and bones of animals recovered from archaeological excavations of ancient sites. The findings indicate that while the lines between pet and work animals overlapped, there were indeed numerous cases of pet-keeping in Greek and Roman antiquity. The range of pet animals included dogs, domesticated equids, cats, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and tamed wild and exotic animals.