Perception of Animals in Mythology and Antiquity
(Domesticated or Stray)

How did people in the ancient world perceive animals? What distinctions did they make between different species?

Program Topics:

• Bastet’s Love
  (Egypt and Cats - From Herodotus)
• Odysseus’ Dog: Argos
  (Loyalty and Love - A Parallel with Hachiko)
• Hellhounds Guiding Souls
  (Greek Cerberus and Similar Figures in Persian, Viking, and Indian Traditions)
• Gods and Animal Epithets
  (Beloved Animals of Certain Gods)
• Animals in Ancient Athens
  (Did Athenians Keep Cats and Dogs Like We Do?)
• Human Exploitation of Animals
  (Labor, War Power, Food)
• Transformations
  (Shapeshifting from Human to Animal as Punishment)
• Animals in Foundation, Salvation, and Guidance
  (Rome, Turkish, Viking Traditions)
• ...