The Place of Animals in Ancient Rome

 

Sports and Personal Use

 

Religious or Symbolic Use

lions, tigers

• gladiatorial combat

• capital punishment

horses

• contests

• races

bears, giraffes, elephants

• parades

• park displays

wild boars, fish, fowl

• hunting

cats, dogs, insects

• personal pets

 

Venus and dove, Jupiter and eagle

• association with gods

she-wolf

• founding of Rome

goats, boars, small birds

• sacrificial offerings to gods