Abstract
This work explores portrayal of 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, this survey ranges from exotic (the rhinoceros and hippopotamus) to commonplace (dogs and cats). Romans cleary loved their pets and gave them human names. The wealthiest kept gazelles and ibex on their estates as living lawn ornaments. At same time, they imported exotic animals from Africa and then slaughtered them in both gladiatorial combat and cold-blooded spectacle. The book concludes with a discussion of Roman beliefs about animals in afterlife where, according to Virgil the herds will not fear mighty lion and the timid deer...will drink beside hounds.
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