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Cats in the Ancient World
Cats and humans have shared in each other's lives for thousands of years and, even though they have not always been regarded as highly as in the present, have played an important role in a number of cultures. Always enigmatic, the cat has...
Article
The Nimrud Dogs
The Nimrud Dogs, five canine figurines found at the ancient Mesopotamian city of Nimrud, were only a few of the many startling finds in the region during the 19th century when expeditions were sent to corroborate biblical narratives through...
Video
Pair of Centaurs Fighting Cats of Prey from Hadrian's Villa, c. 130 B.C.E.
More free lessons at: http://www.khanacademy.org/video?v=L5OkFR8GScU Pair of Centaurs Fighting Cats of Prey from Hadrian's Villa, mosaic, c. 130 B.C.E. (Altes Museum, Berlin) Speakers: Dr. Beth Harris, Dr. Steven Zucker See this on Smarthistory...
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Plan of Edinburgh Castle
A plan of the buildings and layout of Edinburgh Castle, Scotland. Although occupied since the Bronze Age and site of a medieval castle from the 11th century, most of the structures today date from around 1500 with additions and modifications...
Article
Herodotus on Cats in Egypt
The Greek historian Herodotus provides an accurate description of the devotion of the ancient Egyptians to cats in Book II of his Histories, but this passage is often cited out of context. Chapters II.66-67 are frequently anthologized without...
Video
History of Dogs in Ancient Roman Society and Mythology
Dogs were highly valued in ancient Rome, as they were in other cultures, and the Roman dog served many of the same purposes as it did in, say, Egypt and Persia - as hunters, guardians, and companions - but with a significant difference in...
Article
Dogs in the Ancient World
Dogs have been a part of the history of human beings since before the written word. The ancient temple of Gobekli-Tepe in Turkey, dated to at least 12,000 years BCE, has provided archaeologists with evidence of domesticated dogs in the Middle...
Article
Cats in the Middle Ages
Cats in the Middle Ages were generally disapproved of, regarded as, at best, useful pests and, at worst, agents of Satan, owing to the medieval Church and its association of the cat with evil. Prior to the widespread acceptance of Christianity...
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Saharan Rock Carving of Two Cats Fighting
This prehistoric Saharan rock carving from Wadi Mathendous in the Fezzan, Libya depicts two cats fighting. Similar petroglyphs can be found in rock escarpments throughout the Sahara, providing valuable clues to the people who inhabited and...
Article
Pets in Ancient Egypt
Pets were very important to the ancient Egyptians and considered gifts from the gods to be cared for until their death when they were expected to be returned to the divine realm from which they had come. In life, pets were well cared for...